LISA Reflects on Her Vulnerable New Documentary ‘Always Lalisa’: ‘I Tried to Give Everything’

LISA, the global K-pop icon and member of the popular group BLACKPINK, opens up about her vulnerable new documentary called "Always Lalisa." The film, directed by Sue Kim, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, and it follows the singer during her one-year break from BLACKPINK.

LISA initially had no intention of making a documentary during her break. "It started during my break, just filming for an archive," she explains. However, as the days passed, she realized it was time to tell her story and inspire young girls who share a similar dream.

The documentary covers LISA's entire career, from her rise from obscurity in Thailand as a teenager to becoming a trainee at YG Entertainment, the major South Korean entertainment agency and record label. It features archival footage and never-before-seen clips, showcasing LISA's journey during the transformative year away from BLACKPINK. Sue Kim, the filmmaker, says she was drawn to LISA's public persona, which she describes as sweet, lovely, and fierce, despite being bubbly and cute.

However, as filming progressed, Kim discovered a deeper, emotionally complex side of LISA. Kim, who previously worked on Apple TV+'s K-Pop Idols, describes the process of creating the documentary as a "gentle education." LISA explains that during her break, she had to adhere to strict guidelines, and Kim emphasizes the unspoken rules and esoteric world that K-pop fans must understand to appreciate LISA's accomplishments.