Blackpink member Lisa Manobal confronted a racial slur scandal in a candid documentary, detailing her 2025 Coachella performance amid leaked teen trainee videos and her subsequent career shifts.
Lisa's Public Apology Response Captured on Camera
Blackpink member Lisa Manobal faced public scrutiny after leaked videos resurfaced last year, showing the band using racial slurs during teenage trainee rehearsals. The controversy erupted as she prepared for a Coachella performance, with fans demanding apologies. Her record label initially blocked statements.
However, documentary filmmaker Sue Kim captured Lisa’s unscripted reaction in her dressing room, where she expressed remorse and explained her lack of awareness about the term’s history.
Inside the Dressing Room Confessional
In a scene from the documentary Always Lalisa, which hits cinemas on Monday, 12 October, Lisa admitted she was “15 or 16” when the leaked videos were filmed and had only heard the term in rap music
without understanding its offensive history. Now I know better,
she said, describing her reaction as vulnerable and human.
Sue Kim, the director, highlighted the unfiltered honesty: There was no premeditation on Lisa’s part, there was no media training.
The film showcases her emotional handling of the scandal as she prepared for Coachella, where she set aside the scandal and online death threats to deliver one of the standout performances of 2025’s Coachella Music Festival.
I said, ‘Look, I know this is new. I know you guys are wildly confused and hurt, but this is your time to say whatever you want to say—even if you’re just processing your thoughts and telling us what you’re feeling,
Kim recalled, describing how Lisa opened up after being asked a single question. The singer has since apologised publicly in an interview with Variety, though some people remained unconvinced.
Breaking Away From the Strict K-Pop System
Kim noted that Lisa’s interest in pursuing her solo career stems from the potential for greater personal liberty to express her true self.
Lisa Delivers Memorable Coachella Performance Despite Scandal
In spite of the controversy, Lisa set aside the scandal and online death threats to deliver one of the most memorable performances at the 2025 Coachella Music Festival.
Kim says Lisa’s in-the-moment reaction is one of the most important scenes
in her documentary, Always Lalisa.
The documentary provides a raw look at Lisa’s journey, blending her public accountability with private growth. Her story underscores the complexities of navigating fame, cultural awareness, and personal agency in the global entertainment industry.