A documentary titled Always Lalisa, set to release on 12 October, chronicles K-pop star Lisa Manobal’s navigation of a significant controversy and her career transition. The film captures Lisa’s response to leaked videos that emerged last year showing members of Blackpink using racial slurs during rehearsals when they were teenage trainees. The controversy intensified as the scandal unfolded during Lisa’s preparation for a Coachella Festival performance in 2025.
Director Sue Kim documented Lisa’s candid reaction to the incident, capturing an unscripted moment in which the singer acknowledged the offensive nature of her past behavior. Lisa explained that she was approximately 15 or 16 years old when the videos were recorded and, as a native Thai speaker, was unfamiliar with the historical context and sensitivity surrounding certain language she had encountered primarily in rap music. She expressed genuine remorse, stating that her education and understanding have since evolved. Lisa subsequently offered a public apology through an interview with Variety, though reception to the statement remained mixed among some observers.
Beyond the scandal, the documentary chronicles Lisa’s decision to pursue a solo career and break from the restrictions of the K-pop system. At age 25, she terminated her contract with YG Entertainment and signed with RCA Records to pursue crossover success in Western markets. The film documents her struggles with self-doubt in the recording studio and her efforts to secure a role in the third season of television drama The White Lotus, in which she eventually appeared as a character named Mook Sornsin.
Kim’s approach presents an unusually candid portrait of celebrity, capturing moments of vulnerability and uncertainty alongside glimpses of Lisa’s developing independence. The director notes that Lisa granted unprecedented access to the production process and did not request the removal of any scenes upon reviewing the final film. While the documentary was commissioned by Lisa’s record label, Kim characterizes the final product as notably more revealing than typical artist profiles, crediting Lisa’s willingness to participate transparently.
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