BLACKPINK star Lisa opens up about her solo career, personal dreams and life beyond K-pop in Sue Kim’s documentary Always Lalisa.
BLACKPINK’s Lisa is showing fans a side of herself they have rarely seen. Her new documentary, Always Lalisa, explores her life beyond the spotlight. Directed by Sue Kim, the film follows her journey through music, acting and personal growth.
For years, Lalisa Manobal has impressed audiences with her dance moves and powerful performances. However, the documentary reveals the person behind the global superstar. It highlights her fears, ambitions and growing independence.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lisa and Kim discussed her personal journey. They also explained how a year of solo projects helped her gain confidence.
Lisa Finds Her Identity Beyond BLACKPINK
Always Lalisa follows an important chapter in Lisa’s career. After years with Jennie, Jisoo and Rosé, she finally had time to explore her own goals.
Initially, Lisa planned to slow down and enjoy a break. However, several exciting opportunities soon came her way.
As a result, her schedule quickly filled with music, acting and major performances. The documentary shows how she learned to make creative decisions independently.
From Thailand to Global Stardom
Lisa’s journey began in Thailand. At just 13, she moved to South Korea after auditioning for YG Entertainment.
She spent years training in singing, dancing and performing. Meanwhile, she also had to adjust to a new language and culture.
In 2016, BLACKPINK made its debut. Soon, the group became one of the world’s biggest K-pop acts.
However, success brought demanding schedules and high expectations. Therefore, Lisa’s solo journey gave her a chance to discover life beyond the group.
Sue Kim Shows Lisa’s Personal Side
Director Sue Kim wanted to create more than a typical celebrity documentary. Instead, she focused on Lisa’s emotions, challenges and personal experiences.
The film includes quiet moments alongside major career achievements. It also shows Lisa spending time with loved ones and reflecting on her future.
Moreover, Kim’s approach helped Lisa speak more openly. As a result, viewers see a young woman learning to balance fame, freedom and personal happiness.
Lisa Explores Independence With Alter Ego
Lisa’s first full-length solo album, Alter Ego, arrived in 2025. The project marked a major step in her independent music career.
Through the album, she explored different sounds and creative styles. Additionally, she established her own management company, LLOUD.
This move gave Lisa greater control over her career. However, independence also brought new responsibilities.
The documentary captures these challenges. It also shows how Lisa developed confidence while making important professional decisions.
Lisa Makes Her Acting Debut in The White Lotus
Lisa entered the acting world with HBO’s The White Lotus Season 3. She played Mook, a resort employee, in the Thailand-set series.
The role allowed her to explore a new creative field. Moreover, filming in Thailand gave her more time near her family.
However, acting required different skills from performing on stage. Lisa had to learn how to develop a character and work with a script.
Despite the challenges, she embraced the opportunity. Her acting debut also opened doors to additional projects, including Netflix productions.
Lisa Takes Centre Stage at Coachella
Another major moment in Always Lalisa is Lisa’s solo Coachella performance.
Previously, she had performed at the festival with BLACKPINK. This time, however, she had to lead the entire show herself.
The documentary follows her preparations for the event. It also highlights the pressure of performing before a massive international audience.
Nevertheless, Lisa approached the challenge with determination. Her performance became an important milestone in her solo career.
Lisa Shares Her Dreams of Marriage and Family
Beyond music and acting, Lisa also discusses her personal dreams.
In an emotional moment, she reveals her wish to marry and have children someday. However, she worries about how fans might respond.
Her comments highlight the pressure K-pop idols face when discussing relationships and family plans.
Despite her fame, Lisa hopes to enjoy ordinary life experiences. Through this conversation, the documentary presents a more relatable side of the superstar.
Lisa Reflects on a Controversial Past
Always Lalisa also addresses a difficult incident from Lisa’s trainee years.
Old footage showed BLACKPINK members using a racial slur while singing along to music. The resurfaced videos sparked criticism and public debate.
In the documentary, Lisa expresses regret over the incident. She also discusses why she had not addressed it publicly earlier.
According to the film, threats and intense public pressure made the situation difficult to handle.
Meanwhile, Sue Kim explains that the documentary captured Lisa’s emotional response as events unfolded.
By including this moment, Always Lalisa explores both the achievements and challenges of international fame.
A New Chapter for BLACKPINK’s Lisa
Always Lalisa highlights Lisa’s transformation from a K-pop group member into an independent global entertainer.
From releasing Alter Ego to acting in The White Lotus and performing at Coachella, she continues to explore new opportunities.
However, the documentary also reminds viewers that success comes with personal struggles.
Through Sue Kim’s intimate storytelling, fans discover Lisa’s determination, vulnerability and growing confidence.
Ultimately, Always Lalisa celebrates an artist learning to follow her own path while staying connected to her roots.
Are you excited to see Lisa’s journey beyond BLACKPINK? Share your thoughts and tell us which part of her story inspires you most!
About the author
Neha Nikharge is Assistant Editor at Awesome TV and a writer for AWSM Times. Neha covers Bollywood, OTT releases, celebrity interviews and pop culture for South Asian audiences in the US and around the world, and has written more than 4,500 stories for Awesome TV. Story tips and corrections: hello@awesometv.com.
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