Lisa's Liberation: From YG's Clutches to Solo Stardom

Breaking the Mold

When I first met Lisa at the Toronto International Film Festival, she was radiant — not just in her glamorous appearance, but in the confidence that radiates from someone who has finally broken free from the constraints of her past. Her new documentary, "Always Lalisa," is more than a biographical look at her rise to fame; it's a testament to the power of self-determination.

"I didn't dare to speak up or express my thoughts, and I had been living like that since I was 14."

— Lisa

The documentary is a raw and unfiltered portrait of her life — from the grueling five-year training period at YG Entertainment to her liberation as a solo artist. It's an intimate journey that offers a rare glimpse into the world of K-pop, where dreams are forged in fire and every move is tracked.

The Training Grounds

At just 13 years old, Lisa was selected from over 4,000 hopefuls to join YG Entertainment, becoming their first non-Korean trainee. The path to stardom was anything but glamorous. She moved to South Korea and immersed herself in a world where the rules were strict, the expectations high, and the future uncertain.

• No drinking
• No dating
• No driver's license
• No leaving to see friends
• Every movement tracked

It was a life of constant performance and pressure. But Lisa wasn't just surviving; she was thriving, pushing through the barriers that would have broken lesser spirits.

The Reckoning

It's in her documentary that Lisa reveals how difficult it was to be a young woman under such strict control. The film chronicles the moment when the YG Leaker leaked videos of Blackpink members using the N-word while they were young teens — a revelation that shook not only Lisa but the entire industry. This leak led to death threats and further emotional toll, highlighting the dangers that come with fame.

But it was also during this period that Lisa began to realize she had the power to change her story. "I really have to apologize," she says about the videos. "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." This admission speaks volumes about how even stars are not immune to their upbringing and the lessons they were taught.

Freedom and Finesse

The year Lisa took off from Blackpink to launch her solo career was nothing short of a whirlwind. She formed her own management company, Lloud, joined RCA Records, and dropped her first solo album, "Alter Ego." She performed at Coachella, sang a Bond theme at the Academy Awards, and made her acting debut in the third season of "The White Lotus." The freedom to be herself was intoxicating — and the results were undeniable.

"I tried a lot of stuff during Blackpink — we've been through everything together — but when it comes to the year break, at first I was a little scared because I didn't know how to start. Nobody was telling me what to do and I'm the one who has to choose the road to go down next."

— Lisa

This freedom was not just about career choices; it was about personal growth. She talks about wanting a family someday, something that was not possible under YG's strict regime.

Bond Dreams and Labubu Fame

But it's not all about work and success for Lisa. She also dreams of being a Bond girl — an ambition she shared with Variety at TIFF. "Ah, I wish! Seriously. But no one's called me yet," she laughed.

She also talks about the phenomenon of Labubu, a doll that she helped popularize through social media. "I really like the doll! I love it. It's so cute." The trend went viral, and now there's even a Labubu movie in development. It's a perfect example of how one person's passion can spark a cultural movement.

Looking Forward

Lisa's journey is far from over. She's just beginning to explore what it means to be a solo artist, and she's doing so with confidence and clarity. Her documentary doesn't just chronicle her past — it sets the stage for her future. As she says, "I feel like my solo career just started."

The world is watching, and Lisa is ready to show us everything.