Entertainment · K-Culture & Anime · 1 day ago
Documentary shows Lisa responding to Blackpink racial-slur controversy
A documentary called Always Lalisa follows Blackpink singer Lisa Manobal during a controversy over leaked rehearsal videos.
The clips, which emerged last year, showed the group using racial slurs while covering US rap songs as teenage trainees.
The backlash grew as Lisa prepared for a major performance at the Coachella Festival in 2025, and some fans called for an apology.
Lisa said in the film that she was 15 or 16, had not understood the word’s history, and now knew she had done wrong.
She has since apologised publicly, though some people remained unconvinced.
The film also shows her facing death threats and continuing public appearances amid safety concerns.
It is due in cinemas on 12 October, but it was commissioned by her record label, which means it is also a marketing project.
A new documentary shows Blackpink singer Lisa responding to a controversy over leaked videos of the group using racial slurs as teenage trainees.
Lisa says she was 15 or 16 when the videos were made and did not understand the word’s history because she was from Thailand and English was not her first language.
She says she did wrong and would not use the slur now that she has been educated.
The controversy erupted while Lisa was rehearsing for a 2025 Coachella performance, and the group’s record label forbade members from issuing a statement.
The documentary, Always Lalisa, was commissioned by the film division of Lisa’s record label and is due in cinemas on 12 October.
- Who
- Lisa Manobal, a member of Blackpink, responds to the controversy in a documentary directed by Sue Kim.
- What
- Leaked videos showed Blackpink using racial slurs while covering US rap songs during rehearsals as teenage trainees. Lisa says she did wrong and now knows better.
- When
- The controversy erupted in 2025. The documentary is due in cinemas on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- The controversy unfolded while Lisa was rehearsing for a performance at the Coachella Festival.
- Why
- The videos included uncensored explicit language, including the n-word, and offended some fans.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
But I did wrong.
Now I would never ever do that because, now, I've got education.
There was no premeditation on Lisa's part, there was no media training.
And when I showed her the film, she never asked me to remove a single scene.
Leaked videos emerged showing Blackpink covering US rap songs during rehearsals, with explicit language left uncensored.
The controversy erupted while Lisa was rehearsing for a pivotal performance at the Coachella Festival.
Always Lalisa is due in cinemas.
- Group
- Blackpink
- Documentary
- Always Lalisa
- Director
- Sue Kim
- Festival
- Coachella
- Documentary release
- 12 October 2026
Sources
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