Why does Lisa have no ‘taboos’? Lisa, a member of the group BLACKPINK who continues to build an unrivaled career as a solo artist, is drawing attention for her bold and free-spirited moves.
While many K-pop fans go wild for the activities of idols, they often apply strict standards to their behavior; however, Lisa’s position seems quite different.
A prime example is the so-called “bikini handstand” photo that Lisa released and became a hot topic. The photos she shared last month, captioned “Go Bali,” contained numerous daring shots captured during her playful vacation.
She caught the eye by revealing her back in a revealing bikini and even striking poses while doing a handstand. While attention was focused on her toned physique and unrivaled styling, it is undeniable that the exposure was quite shocking.
From revealing her back in a daring bikini to striking poses while doing a handstand, she drew significant attention. Lisa consistently garners attention through her bold fashion choices and unconventional moves on social media. While she receives significant attention whenever revealing outfits or photos of her carefree daily life are released, the prevailing sentiment among netizens and fans is that these actions are accepted as expressions of individuality and self-expression rather than being criticized with disapproving eyes.
Her bold moves do not stop at social media. In 2023, Lisa took the stage for the French adult show “Crazy Horse.” This performance is one of Paris’s top three shows, featuring dancers performing accompanied by high heels, lighting, and video projections. As it is rated 19+, it is known for having the highest level of exposure among the three major shows. Although Lisa successfully completed the performance while pulling off daring outfits, the decision sparked various interpretations among fans both at home and abroad.
Despite actions that are tantamount to a public relationship, there is almost no criticism typically associated with idol dating. Lisa has been consistently embroiled in dating rumors since 2023 with Frédéric Arnault, the son of LVMH Chairman Bernard Arnault and CEO of Loro Piana. Although the two have never officially acknowledged their relationship, they have been spotted on multiple occasions dating without regard for the public eye at locations such as restaurants in Paris, France, LA airport lounges, and Bangkok, Thailand. It is also reported that she enjoyed a vacation with Arnault’s family, and there were speculations last July that Frédéric Arnault visited Korea to coincide with a Blackpink concert.
While the two have not admitted to the relationship, their romance has become a fait accompli as they have been spotted spending time together naturally in public. Notably, unlike typical dating rumors involving K-pop idols, the reaction has been relatively calm and free of major commotion. The response to recent rumors of a breakup raised by some is similar.
Compared to other K-pop girl group members who faced severe controversy when placed in similar situations, the lenient view toward Lisa stands out even more.
This appears to be the result of several complex factors. As a Thai national, Lisa’s cultural background is actually somewhat different from that of Koreans, and she began her career in a position relatively free from the image and norms typically expected of “Korean idols.”
The free-spirited nature of YG Entertainment, the agency she has been with for a long time since her debut, also played a role. Analysts suggest that because the agency has emphasized individuality and character in each artist’s activities to the point of conveying a rebellious vibe, a relatively unconstrained and free image was naturally established.
Having solidified her position as a “global star” alongside the success of BLACKPINK, Lisa has since continued her endeavors targeting the global market beyond Korea. Having built a fanbase through diverse activities across various cultures with overseas venues as her main stage, her unconventional and bold moves are instead accepted as “Lisa’s unique style.”
An industry insider analyzed, “In Lisa’s case, it seems the image of a ‘global pop star’ already applies rather than that of a typical ‘K-pop idol.’ Even the same actions are received differently by the public.”
They continued, “The influence of her accumulated career is also significant. Unlike rookies or idols with limited images, Lisa is an artist who has already gone beyond music and made various attempts in diverse activities, so the scope of her activities and the room for fans to accept her are much wider.” They added, “Fans these days also have a strong tendency to view artists as ‘personal brands,’ and Lisa seems to be the best example of this trend.”
Another insider commented, “Because the group BLACKPINK has a strong overseas fandom, people seem to view her with a slightly more open perspective.” They noted, “In Lisa’s case, since she excels so much at her main job, it feels like fans and the public don’t pay much attention to her private life.”
