The scandal that nearly derailed her
Being a global icon comes with massive baggage, and for Blackpink’s Lisa Manobal, the plot thickened during her 2025 Coachella prep. A resurfaced video of the band as teenage trainees using racial slurs sparked massive backlash. While the label initially blocked an apology, Lisa eventually spoke to director Sue Kim for the documentary Always Lalisa, which hits cinemas Monday, October 12. She explained that at 15 or 16, she didn’t understand the sensitivity of the terms she heard in rap songs. Real talk: it’s giving a human, unscripted moment that’s rare in the world of curated celebrity PR.
Escaping the K-pop bubble
The documentary captures more than just a scandal; it’s a deep dive into Lisa’s transition from a member of the world’s biggest girl group to a solo artist. Having spent her youth in the highly regimented K-pop system, where dating and even drinking were off the table, Lisa hit a wall at 25. "I realized that this is not how you’re supposed to live your life," she shared. She eventually cut ties with YG Entertainment to sign with RCA Records in the US, pursuing a "crossover" career that felt like a total vibe shift.
Finding her own path
From landing a role in The White Lotus—where she was apparently the life of the party—to battling nerves in the recording studio, the film paints a picture of a star finding her own wings. While it was commissioned by her record label, director Sue Kim insists the access was legit, noting that Lisa didn’t ask for a single scene to be cut. By the end of the film, as she prepares to return to Blackpink duties, it’s clear she’s outgrown the cage she was once in. Lowkey, the freedom she found in the US changed her perspective on what a "career" can actually look like.
Why it matters
Lisa’s journey highlights the growing tension between the rigid expectations of the K-pop machine and the desire for Western-style artistic and personal autonomy. As she navigates solo success, her story serves as a case study in what happens when a global superstar decides to stop being "obedient" and starts living for themselves.
