BLACKPINK's Lisa on acting debut: 'I needed new inspiration'
Synopsis
After more than a decade in K-pop's biggest girl group, BLACKPINK's Lisa found herself creatively restless — and chose HBO's The White Lotus as her answer. Her Vanity Fair interview reveals a star deliberately stepping outside a comfort zone she'd outgrown, while staying rooted in the group that made her a global icon.
Key Takeaways
Lisa of BLACKPINK made her acting debut in 2025 on HBO 's The White Lotus .
She told Vanity Fair the move was driven by a need for fresh 'inspiration' after more than 10 years in music.
Lisa said she never wanted to act as a child, though her mother enrolled her in an acting school early on.
She described her public persona as 'just me, plus a little more confidence' — rejecting the idea of a stage alter ego.
BLACKPINK is one of the best-selling girl groups of all time; Lisa remains committed to the group alongside her solo work.
Lisa, the Thai-born member of South Korean K-pop group BLACKPINK, has revealed that a search for fresh creative inspiration drove her pivot from music to acting — a transition that culminated in her 2025 acting debut on the HBO series The White Lotus. The 29-year-old star opened up about the decision in an interview with Vanity Fair.
The Search for New Inspiration
Lisa told Vanity Fair, 'Sometimes when you're doing the things that (you've done) for more than 10 years, you feel like you should find new things to find inspiration.' The candid admission reflects a creative restlessness that many long-running artists experience — and one that Lisa chose to address by stepping outside her comfort zone entirely.
Notably, acting was never part of her childhood ambitions. 'I feel like acting was always one of the things that I never (wanted to) try,' she said. 'When I was little, my mom wanted me to be a kid actor, and she sent me to an acting school.' It was her mother's early encouragement, it appears, that planted a seed Lisa would only revisit decades later.
From K-Pop Icon to HBO Actress
BLACKPINK rose to become one of the best-selling girl groups of all time, with Lisa emerging as one of its most globally recognised faces. Her debut in The White Lotus in 2025 marked a significant career shift, drawing attention beyond the K-pop world and into mainstream prestige television circles.
This comes amid a broader trend of K-pop artists crossing over into acting and international entertainment, with several idols leveraging global fanbases to secure roles in English-language productions. Lisa's HBO appearance is among the most high-profile such transitions to date.
Staying Authentic Through Fame
Despite the evolution in her career, Lisa maintains she has not altered her core identity. When asked to compare her on-stage persona with her real-life self, she said, 'I'm not trying to pretend that I'm someone else. It's just me, plus a little more confidence.'
She also spoke about her enduring bond with BLACKPINK. In a separate interview with Elle, she said, 'When I'm onstage (with BLACKPINK), I share my energy with my members. If she gives 100, I'll give 120. We can feel each other. And I love that energy.' Even as she pursues solo projects, Lisa has signalled her continued commitment to the group.
What Comes Next
Lisa has been actively developing solo material alongside her acting work, suggesting a dual-track career strategy that keeps her grounded in music while expanding her creative footprint. Whether her White Lotus appearance opens further doors in film and television remains to be seen, but the early reception has positioned her as a credible crossover talent.
Point of View
Not novelty. Her framing — 'inspiration' over ambition — is also a deliberate softening that keeps her BLACKPINK fanbase onside while she tests new terrain.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Lisa from BLACKPINK turn to acting?
Lisa said she turned to acting in search of fresh inspiration after spending more than 10 years in music. She told Vanity Fair that long-term artists sometimes need to seek out new creative challenges to stay motivated.
What was Lisa's acting debut?
Lisa made her acting debut in 2025 in the HBO television series The White Lotus. The role marked a significant career shift from K-pop performance to prestige television.
Did Lisa always want to be an actress?
No — Lisa has said acting was something she never wanted to try when she was young. Her mother, however, encouraged her and enrolled her in an acting school during her childhood.
Is Lisa still part of BLACKPINK?
Yes. Lisa has stated she remains committed to BLACKPINK even as she pursues solo music and acting. She told Elle that the group's shared on-stage energy is something she deeply values.
What did Lisa say about her on-stage persona versus real life?
Lisa told Vanity Fair that she does not adopt a separate identity on stage. In her words, 'It's just me, plus a little more confidence,' suggesting her public and private selves are closely aligned.
