BLACKPINK member Lisa is getting candid about the realities of being part of the K-pop industry, including the restrictions she experienced when it came to dating and expressing herself.
In her upcoming solo documentary Always Lalisa, Lisa looked back on her years as a K-pop trainee and the personal sacrifices that came with being part of one of the world's biggest girl groups.
In an interview with the Toronto Star, Lisa spoke about how dating was something she had to keep private during her younger years.
“In K-pop culture, we can’t date,” Lisa said. “If you’re seeing someone and you get caught by paparazzi, your popularity drops. When I was younger, I had a few relationships, but we had to hide when we’re dating. I didn’t want my dating to be the thing that hurts BLACKPINK‘s popularity.”
Her experiences also found their way into her solo music. Lisa revealed that her 2025 album Alter Ego includes material inspired by her personal experiences, including the song “Dream,” which was influenced by a relationship she once kept away from the public eye.
Before releasing the track, Lisa said she reached out to her former partner to seek permission, who in turn agreed as long as their identity was kept hidden.
“They thought they figured it out, but I don’t think so,” Lisa said, laughing.
Lisa has recently been at the center of relationship speculation involving LVMH heir Frédéric Arnault, whom she had been linked to since 2023. She has also been linked to Thai actor Blue Pongtiwat.
Beyond relationships, Lisa also reflected on how difficult it was for her to find her voice during her early years in the industry, saying: “I didn’t dare speak up or express my thoughts, and I had been living like that since I was 14.”
Lisa auditioned for YG Entertainment in Thailand as a young teenager before moving to South Korea, where she spent years undergoing the demanding K-pop trainee process.
Looking back at her life today compared with those early years, she said: “I finally get to live my life.”
The documentary also captures some of the emotional moments from Lisa’s trainee years. According to the Toronto Star, she was seen wiping away tears while recalling the monthly performance tapes she had to submit to her company and the feedback she received.
Always Lalisa aims to offer viewers a more personal look at Lisa beyond her public image as a BLACKPINK member and global performer.
Director Sue Kim said Lisa allowed the production team access to deeply personal parts of her life that audiences have not previously seen.
“She let us into every inner sanctum of her world,” said Sue. “We’re showing things that people have never seen before in the life of a K-pop idol that’s currently huge and still working.”
The documentary film follows Lisa through a significant period as she explores opportunities beyond BLACKPINK, including her solo music, acting career, and other projects.
Ticket selling for Always Lalisa will begin on September 9 before its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11. The documentary will then screen in IMAX and cinemas worldwide beginning October 12, with a YouTube Premium release set for later this year.
Lisa recently released her newest hip-hop single “SaWaDiKa,” on September 4.