BLACKPINK’s LISA confronts past controversies in new documentary

K-pop icon LISA isn’t holding back. In one of the most candid moments from her brand-new documentary Always Lalisa, the global phenomenon confronts the online firestorm over leaked pre-debut videos that caught BLACKPINK members using the N-word while practicing rap covers as teenagers over a decade ago.

The previously unseen footage reared its head online in spring 2025—just as the star was gearing up for her historic solo debut at Coachella. Addressing her past use of the slur, LISA got brutally honest about her lack of awareness at the time.

“I really have to apologize,” she admitted on camera. “To be honest, I’m Thai and I grew up in Thailand. There isn’t any education for that, so at the time, I didn’t know.”

Reflecting on the painful lesson, the star emphasized how much she has grown since her trainee days. “Now I’ve learned and got educated about that, and I would never [do it again],” LISA confessed regarding the slur's offensive past. “This is not OK. Seriously.”

Adding fuel to the drama, the film reveals that her team explicitly prohibited her from speaking out when the scandal broke. The White Lotus actress admitted the forced silence made an already high-stakes career milestone even harder to handle.

“I was just sad because I really wanted to focus on my performance, but things happened and you can’t control stuff,” LISA shared. “But I fought through it.”

Always Lalisa made its world premiere on Friday (Sept. 11) at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), offering BLINKs an intimate front-row seat to her whirlwind year of solo stardom. Beyond the controversies, the documentary lifts the curtain on the harsh realities of top-tier K-pop fame—including the extreme pressure to keep her romantic life hidden from the public eye to protect her commercial appeal.

Fans won't have to wait long to catch the buzzworthy film for themselves: Always Lalisa hits standard theaters and IMAX on Oct. 12 before heading to YouTube Premium later this year.

And for those worried about the future of her day job? Don't panic. While LISA, ROSÉ, JISOO, and JENNIE are currently conquering their own individual eras, LISA reassured Variety that the group isn't going anywhere.

“If I’m 50, I still want to do BLACKPINK!” she declared.