BLACKPINK’s Lisa Reveals Why She Changed Her Name; shares 5 little-known facts about himself

As one quarter of the record-breaking K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, Lisa has established herself as a global icon. Born in Thailand, she now calls Seoul home, but her career has taken her far beyond the world of music. The rapper has been busy filming the long-awaited third season of HBO’s The White Lotus in his home country, and is also often found in Paris for fashion shows as the new house ambassador for Louis Vuitton. With a strong presence in fashion, television and even film, Lisa’s rise to superstardom is a fascinating journey. As she was interviewed by Billboard recently, here are some interesting facts about the multi-talented artist that you might not know.

She likes to collect Pop-Mart figurines

When she’s not making headlines for her music, Lisa indulges in a quirky hobby: collecting toys. A fan of Pop Mart, the international toy store chain known for its adorable collectible figures, Lisa is so obsessed that she once visited three different locations in Paris in a single day looking for a rare figure.

She loves Thai food

While many stars enjoy trying new food, Lisa’s love for Thai cuisine runs deep. She lives in Los Angeles and is often advised by locals to try places like Anajak or Jitlada, two well-known Thai restaurants in the city. However, Lisa insists they don’t quite capture the “OG” flavor she craves. “It doesn’t taste like home,” she says. For her, the flavors are different from the authentic Thai food she enjoys at home, and she prefers Ruen Pair, a local Thai restaurant, where she can find the true taste of Thailand.

She is part of the first KPOP group to headline Coachella

As part of BLACKPINK, Lisa has helped the group achieve record-breaking milestones. In 2019, BLACKPINK made history as the first Korean girl group to perform at Coachella, and in 2023, they became the first ever Korean act to headline the festival.

She became the first K-pop artist to enter the Billboard Top 40 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart

In addition to her success with BLACKPINK, Lisa has also made waves as a solo artist. Her 2021 track Moneywhich mixes hip-hop and pop, was a huge hit and reached no. 36 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. This achievement made Lisa the first K-pop artist to enter the top 40 on the chart and established her as a force to be reckoned with on the global music scene.

She changed her name for luck

Lisa’s name change is an important part of her journey to stardom. Born Pranpriya Manobal, she auditioned for YG Entertainment when she was only 13 years old, but did not hear back. Worried about her lack of success, her mother took her to a fortune teller, a common practice in Thai culture—the narrator recommended that she change her name for good luck. Shortly after renaming herself Lalisa, which roughly means “one who is praised”, YG invited her to train in Seoul. The rest, as they say, is history.

Reflecting on her past, Lisa says there’s one thing she’d tell her younger self: “Whatever you’re doing right now? Just keep going.” Wise words.