Lisa of Blackpink confronts past racial slur scandal in new documentary
A documentary follows Lisa Manobal as she addresses leaked trainee videos containing racial slurs and the fallout surrounding her solo debut.
Always Lalisa, the new documentary, reveals Lisa Manobal's candid response to leaked videos of Blackpink trainees using the n-word while covering U.S. rap songs. The scandal erupted as she was rehearsing for a major Coachella performance, prompting fans to demand an apology that the label prohibited. Filmmaker Sue Kim records Lisa acknowledging she was 15 or 16 at the time, unaware of the term's offensiveness, and stating she would never repeat it now that she is educated.
The film also tracks her departure from YG, her signing with RCA Records, and the challenges of launching her solo album Alter Ego amid death threats and intense scrutiny. Scenes show her navigating acting work on The White Lotus, dealing with restrictive K-pop rules, and confronting personal freedom. The documentary ends with Lisa returning to Seoul, reflecting on the tension between her Blackpink commitments and solo ambitions.
Why it matters
It shows how a global pop star handles a cultural controversy and the pressures of transitioning from K-pop to an international solo career.
In this story
