{
  "id": 13584373,
  "title": "Inside the room: What it was like to be with Blackpink's Lisa as race scandal erupted",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/inside-the-room-what-it-was-like-to-be-with-blackpinks-lisa-as-race-13584373",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-10T23:31:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjzxl56q30k7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On October 12, a documentary entitled \"Always Lalisa\" premiered, offering an intimate glimpse into the life of Lisa Manobal, the Thai member of the globally renowned K-pop group Blackpink. The film, directed by Sue Kim, explores the controversy that erupted in 2025 when leaked videos surfaced of Blackpink, including Lisa, using racial slurs during their training as teen trainees. The scandal caused outrage among fans, and while the group's record label forbade the members from issuing a statement, Lisa chose to speak candidly with Kim in her dressing room.\n\nIn the film, Lisa, then 15 or 16, candidly admits to her lack of awareness of the offensive nature of the term \"the n-word,\" as she had only heard it in rap music and was unfamiliar with its history. She explains, \"It's bad,\" with a mixture of shame and nerves. Lisa reflects on her growth since then, stating, \"Now I would never ever do that because, now, I've got education. Now I know better.\" The documentary portrays Lisa's genuine reaction as one of vulnerability and authenticity, in stark contrast to the expected scripted PR apology. Despite facing death threats and internal pressure, Lisa continues to perform, asserting her independence by signing with RCA Records in the US and distancing herself from the K-pop system that had once dominated her life.\n\nThe documentary delves into Lisa's struggle to find her identity and assert herself outside the confining world of K-pop, where her actions and relationships are strictly controlled. As she embarks on her solo career, Lisa's journey is marked by personal growth, her newfound confidence, and the challenges of breaking free from the system that had shaped her for so long.",
  "summary": "Film-maker Sue Kim talks about having unprecedented access to K-Pop idol Lisa Manobal at her most candid.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Inside the room: What it was like to be with Blackpink's Lisa as race scandal erupted",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/inside-the-room-what-it-was-like-to-be-with-blackpinks-lisa-as-race",
        "published": "2026-10-10T23:31:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}