Blackpink’s Lisa sparks fan frenzy at TIFF documentary premiere
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
K-pop star Lisa at the premiere of Always Lalisa during the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival on Sept 11.
PHOTO: AFP
- K-pop star Lisa premiered her documentary Always Lalisa at the Toronto International Film Festival, showcasing her solo career and personal growth over 2024-2025.
- The film captures her solo album release, acting debut in HBO’s The White Lotus, and Coachella performance preparations.
- Directed by Sue Kim, the documentary offers rare, intimate insight beyond Lisa's public K-pop image; Always Lalisa opens in cinemas on Oct 12.
AI generated
TORONTO – K-pop star Lisa was met by piercing screams from fans as she walked the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival for the premiere of her new documentary Always Lalisa.
She rose to fame as a member of K-pop girl group Blackpink, and the film follows a year in her life after taking a break from the band to embark on a solo career.
“I just tried to find new things, like, what can I do more than this?” the 29-year-old said in an interview after the Sept 11 premiere.
The Thai singer, whose full name is Lalisa Manobal, said she initially thought a year would be long enough, but is still trying to figure out what she loves and her next challenge.
Always Lalisa captures her triumphs and setbacks between 2024 and 2025, documenting the release of her debut solo album Alter Ego, her acting debut in HBO’s hit series The White Lotus (2021 to present) and preparations to perform on her own before huge crowds at the Coachella music festival.
The film Always Lalisa follows a year in K-pop star Lisa’s life after taking a break from girl group Blackpink to embark on a solo career.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The documentary was directed by Sue Kim, an executive producer on Apple TV’s 2024 documentary series K-Pop Idols. “This is an incredible opportunity to get to know someone who we’re only ever given a very specific image of because of the music system that she comes from. We get to have this unprecedented access, proximity and exposure to her... It’s not the world of K-pop,” said Kim.
After Lisa’s return to the group, Blackpink made a return in February with the mini-album Deadline, their first release in more than three years.
Always Lalisa opens in cinemas on Oct 12. REUTERS