Blackpink’s Lisa says she hid past relationships as K-pop star
Blackpink member Lisa discusses the intense personal restrictions she faced as a K-pop idol, including the prohibition of dating. She reflects on her career pressures and the inspiration behind her solo music in an upcoming documentary.
Why it matters
It highlights the extreme personal sacrifices and industry-imposed constraints often hidden behind the global success of K-pop stars.
Blackpink’s Lisa has opened up about the restrictions she faced as a K-pop star, including having to keep past relationships private, out of concern that they could affect the group’s popularity.
“In K-pop culture, we can’t date,” she says in her upcoming documentary Always Lalisa, according to Canadian media on Sept 3.
“If you’re seeing someone and you get caught by paparazzi, your popularity drops. When I was younger, I had a few relationships, but we had to hide when we’re dating. I didn’t want my dating to be the thing that hurts Blackpink’s popularity.”
Lisa also reflected on the pressures she faced after moving to South Korea in 2011 at age 14 to train under YG Entertainment.
“I finally get to live my life,” she says in the documentary.
“I didn’t dare speak up or express my thoughts, and I had been living like that since I was 14.”
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