BLACKPINK’s Lisa took the MTV VMAs by storm on September 27 with her electrifying performance of “SaWaDiKa.” It marked her first televised performance of the track and quickly became one of the night’s standout moments.
The Los Angeles Peacock Theater erupted as the Thai superstar took over the stage. With fierce choreography, bold visuals and a dramatic tuk-tuk finale, Lisa delivered a performance that celebrated both her global career and Thai heritage.
The moment came shortly after another major achievement. Earlier in the evening, Lisa won the Best Pop award for “Dream,” becoming the first Asian solo artist to win the category.
Lisa Brings Thai Heritage to the Stage
Lisa opened the performance with powerful, martial-arts-inspired moves. Soon, the energy grew as she was joined by a large group of dancers.
The choreography echoed the visual style of the “SaWaDiKa” music video. As a result, the performance felt like a live extension of the song’s world.
Moreover, Lisa moved effortlessly between fight-inspired sequences and fast-paced dance routines. Her sharp movements kept the momentum high from start to finish.
The Tuk-Tuk Finale Steals the Show
However, the biggest surprise arrived toward the end.
The stage transformed as Lisa appeared on a moving vehicle inspired by a Thai tuk-tuk. The striking visual added a strong cultural touch to the performance.
More importantly, it connected Lisa’s international pop-star image with her Thai roots. She ended the performance on top of the vehicle, creating one of the night’s most memorable visuals.
What Does “SaWaDiKa” Mean?
“SaWaDiKa” takes inspiration from the Thai greeting “Sawatdee Kha.” The song is also the lead single from Lisa’s upcoming EP, Press Play.
The project is scheduled to arrive on October 23. Meanwhile, Lisa has continued to highlight her Thai identity throughout her solo work.
Therefore, the VMAs performance offered more than an energetic stage show. It also gave fans a glimpse into the cultural influences behind her new era.
Lisa Celebrates a Major VMA Win
Lisa’s performance came during an already memorable night.
Earlier, she accepted the Best Pop trophy for “Dream.” The win added another milestone to her growing list of solo achievements.
During her acceptance speech, Lisa thanked MTV, her collaborators and her fans, known as Lilies. Then, just minutes later, she returned to the stage for “SaWaDiKa.”
That back-to-back appearance made the night even more special for her fans.
Fans React to the High-Energy Performance
Following the broadcast, clips from Lisa’s performance quickly spread across social media.
Fans praised her stage presence, choreography and confidence. Many also highlighted the Thai-inspired elements, particularly the tuk-tuk finale.
Meanwhile, music publications including Rolling Stone and ELLE drew attention to the performance’s combination of action-inspired choreography and cultural imagery.
As a result, Lisa’s VMAs appearance became more than a standard awards-show performance. It showcased the direction of her evolving solo career while keeping her cultural identity at the center.
Lisa’s Solo Journey Continues
The 2026 VMAs performance also reflects how much Lisa’s solo career has grown.
She previously performed at the VMAs as a solo artist in 2024. This time, however, she returned with a completely new visual concept built around “SaWaDiKa.”
At the same time, her upcoming EP Press Play is set to introduce another phase of her musical journey. The project is expected to explore different sounds and sides of the artist.
What’s Next for Lisa?
Lisa’s busy schedule doesn’t end with the VMAs.
First, Press Play is set to arrive on October 23. Then, her Las Vegas residency is scheduled to begin in November.
She has also been featured in the documentary Always Lalisa, which explores her career and personal journey.
With new music and live performances ahead, Lisa is entering another major phase of her solo career.
Lisa’s “SaWaDiKa” Era Begins
Lisa’s “SaWaDiKa” performance at the MTV VMAs combined high-energy choreography with powerful Thai cultural references.
From the martial-arts-inspired opening to the dramatic tuk-tuk finale, every element added to the spectacle. At the same time, the performance reinforced Lisa’s connection to her roots.
Now, with Press Play on the way, fans have even more to look forward to.
What did you think of Lisa’s “SaWaDiKa” performance? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for more entertainment updates!
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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