BLACKPINK's Lisa Apologizes for Racial Slur: "I Would Never Do It Again"

BLACKPINK's Lisa has apologized for using a racial slur in a video from her trainee years that surfaced online last year, saying she did not understand the meaning of the term at the time.

Lisa addressed the controversy in a recent interview while discussing her documentary "Always Lalisa."

The footage, recorded before BLACKPINK's 2016 debut, showed a young Lisa singing along to a song that included an anti-Black slur. It surfaced in 2025 as she was preparing for her first solo performance at Coachella.

Lisa said that growing up in Thailand, she had not learned about the history or implications of the term. She acknowledged that using it was wrong and apologized, adding that she now understands why the language is offensive and would never use it again.

The documentary also sheds light on what happened behind the scenes after the video surfaced. Lisa's team considered issuing a response, while her former agency YG Entertainment advised against addressing the controversy publicly. She also received death threats following the leak.

Lisa recalled struggling to focus on Coachella as the controversy unfolded around her.

"I wanted to focus on the performance, but then something happened that I couldn't control," she said, adding that she ultimately pushed through the situation.

Lisa also reflected on her years as a YG trainee after moving from Thailand to South Korea as a teenager. Despite the demanding schedule and regular evaluations, she described the period as an important experience that helped shape her career.

After launching her own company, LLOUD, Lisa said having to choose her own direction initially felt intimidating but eventually gave her greater confidence.

Despite expanding her solo career, Lisa emphasized that BLACKPINK remains part of her future, saying she hopes to still be a member of the group when she is 50.

"Always Lalisa" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 14 and is set for a worldwide theatrical release Oct. 12.