BLACKPINK's JISOO Still Rides the Bus: "People Don't Recognize Me"

BLACKPINK's JISOO tours the world, but at home she still takes the bus. The singer opens up about her everyday routine and her late start as a trainee on an upcoming episode of the SBS variety show "Whenever Possible" (Teummanamyeon).

On the episode, JISOO and TWICE's Nayeon join hosts Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok as guests. The group spends the day in the Sanbon-dong neighborhood, looking for ways to fill spare moments of time.

JISOO looks back on her trainee years, which looked different from most. In K-POP, future idols often train under an agency for years before they debut, and many start as children.

"I started as a trainee a little late, in my second year of high school," she said.

She sees an upside to that. "I liked that I got to go through all of school life," she said. "I even went on a school trip." Class trips are a common part of the Korean school experience.

Nayeon said she started in her third year of middle school. "The friends who started back in elementary school are really amazing," she said, pointing to how tough trainee life can be.

JISOO also shares a surprising side of her daily life. Despite her global fame, she said she is a regular on public transportation.

"I often take the bus when I go to see a play," she said. "When I want to get home fast, I always take the bus. People don't recognize me."

The show's format was new to her. Cast members walk freely through the streets, and JISOO seemed thrilled. "I didn't know we'd be able to move around this freely," she said.

Yoo Jae-suk, a veteran of outdoor shoots, had a tip ready. "You just have to walk fast before people recognize you," he said.

The bus rides stand out given the group's earnings. According to a 2026 report from Forbes Korea, BLACKPINK ranked No. 2 among K-POP artists by revenue, with about $100 million. Only BTS earned more, at $222 million.

The report estimated the four members' combined net worth as of 2026 at about $120 million to $140 million. LISA had the highest net worth at $40 million. ROSÉ was estimated at $30 million to $40 million, while JENNIE and JISOO were each estimated at $30 million.

For one of the best-known faces in K-POP, a seat on a city bus is still one of the easiest places to go unnoticed.