BLACKPINK's Lisa says solo song 'Dream' was inspired by a past secret relationship, with ex's approval
Key Takeaways
- •Lisa moved to Korea in 2011 at age 14 to train under YG Entertainment and said she felt unable to express her thoughts during those trainee years.
- •In her documentary "Always Lalisa," Lisa stated that dating is not accepted in K-pop culture and that she hid past relationships to avoid harming BLACKPINK's popularity.
- •The song "Dream" from her solo album "Alter Ego" was inspired by a relationship Lisa had kept secret, and she received her former partner's permission to release it on the condition his identity stayed unknown.
- •Lisa has pursued solo activities since BLACKPINK renewed its group contract with YG Entertainment in late 2023, releasing "Alter Ego" through her agency Lloud with RCA Records and acting in HBO's "The White Lotus."
- •Lisa has recently faced rumors of a breakup with LVMH heir Frédéric Arnault and has been linked to Thai actor Blue Pongtiwat.
BLACKPINK's Lisa has opened up about the hardships and restrictions she faced as a K-pop idol, revealing that one of her solo songs was drawn from a relationship she once kept secret.
According to a report by the Toronto Star on Thursday, Lisa discussed her past relationships and the constraints of idol life in her solo documentary, "Always Lalisa."
Lisa moved to Korea in 2011 at the age of 14 to begin training under YG Entertainment. Recalling those years, she said, "I didn't dare speak up or express my thoughts." She was also seen wiping away tears as she described the monthly performance tapes she submitted to bosses for review during her trainee years, and the feedback she received.
"In K-pop culture, we can't date," Lisa said. "When I was younger, I dated a few times, but we had to hide when we're dating. I didn't want my dating to be the thing that hurts BLACKPINK's popularity."
Her comments reflect a practice long embedded in the K-pop industry, where agencies have historically restricted or discouraged idols from publicly dating, largely out of concern for fan reactions and group image — a constraint numerous idols have described in interviews and documentaries over the years.
She also revealed that her debut solo studio album, "Alter Ego," released last year, draws on her own romantic experiences. One of its songs, "Dream," was inspired by a relationship she had kept secret in the past, Lisa explained.
The artist added that she had contacted her former partner to ask for permission before releasing the song. He agreed, on the condition that fans would not discover his identity.
Lisa has been particularly active as a solo artist since BLACKPINK's members renewed their group contract with YG Entertainment in late 2023 while pursuing individual careers outside the label's management. "Alter Ego" was released under her own agency, Lloud, in partnership with RCA Records, and she has also expanded into acting, with a role in the HBO series "The White Lotus."
Meanwhile, Lisa has recently been the subject of rumors that she split from Frédéric Arnault, an heir to the LVMH luxury empire, whom she had been romantically linked to since 2023. She has since been linked to Thai actor Blue Pongtiwat.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
