BLACKPINK’s Lisa opened up about the personal restrictions she experienced while growing up as a K-pop star, including keeping past relationships secret and struggling with the lack of privacy that comes with fame.
In her upcoming documentary Always Lalisa, Lisa looked back on entering the Korean entertainment industry at just 14 years old. While reviewing old monthly evaluation videos from her trainee days at YG Entertainment, she became emotional as she recalled how difficult it was to freely express herself.
Lisa said, “Since I was 14, I didn’t dare speak up or express what I thought. That’s how I lived.”
She also spoke candidly about dating during her younger years, explaining that she felt relationships had to remain hidden because of the possible impact on her career.
“In K-pop culture, you can’t date,” Lisa said. She explained that being photographed with someone could lead to concerns about losing popularity and added that she had dated a few times when she was younger but kept those relationships private.
Lisa continued, “I didn’t want my relationship to become a reason for BLACKPINK’s popularity to go down.”
The BLACKPINK member also revealed that Dream, a track from her 2025 solo album Alter Ego, was inspired by a private relationship. According to Lisa, she contacted the person involved before releasing the song.
“I asked for permission before releasing it, and the person agreed as long as fans wouldn’t figure out who they were,” she said. “Fans think they figured out who it is, but I don’t think they did.”
Lisa went on to discuss the pressure surrounding her personal life more broadly. While she said she enjoys meeting fans in public, constant attention can sometimes become overwhelming.
“I love my fans and I like meeting them in public places, but sometimes it feels like too much,” she said. “Sometimes I just want to live normally.”
She added that fans have become more respectful of her boundaries since she previously spoke about feeling as though she had little privacy.
Lisa has faced several dating rumors in recent years, including speculation involving Frédéric Arnault. More recent online discussion has also linked her with Thai actor Blue Pongtiwat. However, Lisa has not publicly confirmed these rumored relationships, and speculation about her private life remains unverified.
The main focus of Lisa’s latest comments is not the identity of anyone she may have dated, but the pressure she says she experienced while trying to protect both her personal life and BLACKPINK’s career.
Directed by Sue Kim, Always Lalisa follows Lisa’s journey as she builds her independent career and is expected to receive its first major screening at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival before its wider theatrical release.
Lisa has also begun a new chapter in her music career with the release of SaWaDiKa, a pre-release single from her upcoming EP PRESS PLAY.
