I’ve always viewed myself more as a J-pop fan. Gravitating toward artists like YOASOBI, Ado, and THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE rather than the more mainstream K-pop. I mainly listened to K-pop through the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack and BLACKPINK. The latter segues into Sue Kim’s latest documentary, Always Lalisa. Focusing on BLACKPINK member Lisa, the film follows her during a year‑long break from the group as she decides to build her solo career, all while revealing more about the person behind the iconic act.
For the uninitiated who may not be hardcore Blinks (what BLACKPINK fans call themselves), Lisa is a Thai singer and dancer who, after auditioning for YG, was the only candidate selected out of 4,000 to travel to Korea and train to become a K-pop idol. Through Kim’s interviews and through Lisa herself, the film does not sugarcoat what awaited her during training. In Korea, becoming an idol isn’t something handed to you by luck; you are moulded from the ground up to succeed, and a single mistake can send you home.
K-pop managers and agencies also control nearly every aspect of an idol’s life, from not allowing them to date, drink, party, and much more. During this time away from BLACKPINK. We meet Lisa, a woman who is a child at heart and longs to be free. She does this by creating an album that reflects every facet of herself, from her funny and affectionate side to her darker, more furious one. What Kim captures most clearly, however, is Lisa’s desire to break free from the confines of being BLACKPINK’s lead dancer and rapper. To do something she has deeply longed for: become a singer.
Seeing how we got the Lisa of today was something I never expected to be this captivating, but I was wrong. From the opening moments as she’s about to walk on stage at Coachella to when the credits rolled. I was floored by what unfolded on screen. Kim manages to reveal a side of Lisa I never knew existed. The film is undeniably a glorified praise piece; however, the level of authenticity Kim captures is genuinely heartwarming and contemplative. From Lisa’s mum and stepdad supporting her every step of the way to the documentary even addressing major controversies, such as the leaked YG clips of her saying the N‑word.
We see the trials and tribulations Lisa endured to reach this point, and audiences will, unexpectedly, feel proud that she made it. They’ll also feel proud that she found the confidence to step out of her shell and be vulnerable and true to herself. For many in her position, it would have been easy to wait for the next BLACKPINK tour and continue to be part of a megastar group. This film shows how she chose instead to become her own rockstar.
Always Lalisa will appeal most to hardcore fans, but for anyone even slightly interested in the K-pop industry, and in watching an artist step outside their comfort zone to be genuinely authentic. You can’t go wrong with this film. It’s one of the best documentaries I’ve seen in quite some time.
★★★★
Had its World Premiere at the 2026 Toronto Film Festival / In Cinemas 12th October / Lalisa Manobal / Dir: Sue Kim / Sony Music Vision
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