As one-fourth of the record-breaking K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, Lisa has firmly established herself as a global icon. Born in Thailand, she now calls Seoul home, but her career has taken her far beyond the world of music. The rapper has been busy shooting the highly anticipated third season of HBO’s The White Lotus in his home country, and can also often be seen at fashion shows in Paris as Louis Vuitton’s new house ambassador. With a strong presence in fashion, television, and even film, Lisa’s rise to superstardom has been an interesting journey. As he was recently interviewed by Billboard, here are some interesting facts about the multi-talented artist that you might not know.
She likes collecting Pop-Mart figurines
When she’s not making headlines for her music, Lisa indulges in a strange hobby: collecting toys. A fan of Pop Mart, the international toy store chain known for its adorable collectible characters, Lisa is so obsessed that she visited three different Paris locations in a single day in search of a rare figurine.
she loves thai food
While many stars love to try new foods, Lisa’s love for Thai cuisine runs deep. While in Los Angeles, she is often recommended by locals to visit places like Anajak or Jitlada, two famous Thai restaurants in the city. However, Lisa insists that they do not capture the “OG” flavor she craves. “It doesn’t taste like home,” she says. For her, the taste is different from the authentic Thai food she enjoys at home, and she prefers Ruen Pair, a local Thai restaurant where she gets a taste of Thailand. You can get the real taste.
He is part of the first Kpop group to headline Coachella
As part of BLACKPINK, Lisa has helped the group achieve record-breaking milestones. In 2019, BLACKPINK made history as the first Korean girl group to perform at Coachella, and in 2023, they became the first Korean artist to headline the festival.
She became the first K-pop artist to enter the Billboard Top 40 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
In addition to her success with BLACKPINK, Lisa has also made waves as a solo artist. his 2021 track WealthThe song, which blends hip-hop and pop, was a major hit, reaching number 36 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. This achievement made Lisa the first K-pop artist to enter the top 40 of the chart, establishing her as a force in the global music landscape.
she changed her name for luck
Lisa’s name change is an important part of her journey to stardom. Born Pranapriya Manobal, she auditioned for YG Entertainment when she was just 13 years old, but did not get any response. Concerned about her lack of success, her mother took her to an astrologer, a common practice in Thai culture – the astrologer advised her to change her name for good luck. Soon after naming her Lalisa, which roughly means “she who is praised,” YG invited her to train in Seoul. The rest, as they say, is history.
Reflecting on her past, Lisa says there’s one thing she would tell her younger self: “Whatever you’re doing right now? Just keep going.” wise words.