Who Is Lalisa Manoban? The Untold Story of Blackpink's Dance Queen

Lalisa Manoban stood out among 4,000 applicants to become the only candidate chosen during a crucial audition, impressing judges with her exceptional dancing skills and confidence. Initially debuting in August 2016 with the single album 'SQUARE ONE' as a main dancer, lead rapper, and sub-vocalist of BLACKPINK, she made history as the first non-ethnically Korean artist under her label. Her solo career skyrocketed in September 2021 with the release of her debut single album 'Lalisa,' which shattered records by becoming the most-viewed video by a soloist in 24 hours with 73.6 million views. Furthermore, the album sold an unprecedented 736,221 copies in its first week, setting a new record for female artists in South Korea. Beyond music, Lisa Manoban is expanding her influence into acting as part of the star-studded cast of 'The White Lotus' Season 3. Considered one of the most outstanding dance performers among K-pop idols across all generations, she has been awarded multiple Guinness World Records in 2023, including one for becoming the most followed K-pop artist on Instagram.

Early Life in Thailand

Born as Pranpriya Manobal on March 27, 1997, in Buriram province, Thailand, the future global superstar began her journey in humble surroundings. Her name, meaning "beloved soul," would later change, though few could have predicted the impact this decision would make on her life path.

Birth name and family background

As an only child, Lalisa was raised by her Thai mother, Chitthip Brüschweiler, and her Swiss stepfather, chef Marco Brüschweiler. The family eventually relocated to Bangkok, where she would spend most of her childhood years. Her multicultural upbringing contributed significantly to her ability to adapt to new environments—a skill that would prove invaluable in her future career.

Despite being in the global spotlight, Lisa maintains a close relationship with her parents. "My dad is Swiss, and he really values having a family day. We'd go to a mall together. And at least once or twice a year, we went traveling abroad together," she once shared in an interview. This strong family foundation provided the support she needed to pursue her artistic ambitions.

Childhood interests and early dance training

Lalisa's passion for performance emerged remarkably early. "I first came into dance class when I was 4 or 5 years old. At that time, I didn't know what dancing was about," she recalled. Her natural talent quickly became apparent as she progressed from curious toddler to dedicated dancer.

Her mother recognized this innate ability when she observed young Lisa playing with microphone stands at her aunt's music group. "That was how my mom knew I loved dancing. So she signed me up for a course when I was in kindergarten. That was how it all began," Lisa explained.

Throughout her school years at Praphamontree School I and II, Lisa consistently participated in dance competitions, frequently achieving top placements. Her dedication was extraordinary—she would eagerly rush to dance class immediately after school each day. Additionally, she joined the eleven-member dance crew "We Zaa Cool" alongside BamBam (who later debuted with Got7).

Notably, in September 2009, her dance crew entered the LG Entertainment Million Dream Sanan World competition broadcast on Channel 9 and won the Special Team Award. Beyond dancing, she also competed in the singing contest "Top 3 Good Morals of Thailand," finishing as the runner-up.

Her former teacher, Ratchadaporn Ruengrit, remembers Lisa as "a playful, generous, and cheerful child who enjoyed participating in activities. Whenever there were performances or competitions, she would always join all of them, inside and outside of the school... She has always been a leader. She has always had that star quality".

Changing her name to Lalisa Manoban

Perhaps the most pivotal moment in her early life came at age 13, when she auditioned for YG Entertainment. After not hearing back immediately, her mother took her to a fortune teller—a common practice in Thai culture. The fortune teller suggested that changing her name might bring better luck.

Subsequently, she changed her name from Pranpriya to "Lalisa," which means "one who is praised". The timing proved extraordinarily fortuitous. "The week after I changed my name, YG called me back and said, 'You should come [be a trainee].' I was like, 'Wow!'" Lisa later revealed.

This name would eventually become the title of her record-breaking solo debut single years later. "People don't really know that Lalisa is my real name, because they just know me as Lisa from Blackpink," she once explained, highlighting how this pivotal childhood decision would come to define her global identity.

The YG Audition That Changed Everything

A fateful audition in 2010 would completely reshape the trajectory of a young Thai dancer's life. While many K-pop trainees spend years preparing for their opportunity, Lalisa Manoban's path to stardom began with an unexpected chance to showcase her talents to one of South Korea's biggest entertainment companies.

How she discovered K-pop

Long before dreaming of becoming a global superstar, Lisa developed a profound fascination with K-pop through influential groups that dominated the Asian music scene. She grew interested in K-pop as a child thanks to artists such as BigBang and 2NE1, ultimately aspiring to follow a similar artistic path. The distinctive performance style, intricate choreography, and vibrant visual aesthetics of these groups captivated her imagination.

"I first came into dance class when I was 4 or 5 years old," Lisa once explained about her early training. As her passion for performance grew, a pivotal moment occurred around her thirteenth birthday when a talent scout noticed her potential. "Then I realized that I loved both singing and dancing. And YG happened to have an audition at the time," she recalled about this turning point. This realization would set her on a course toward an extraordinary opportunity.

Auditioning in Thailand at age 13

In 2010, at just 13 years old, Lalisa took the bold step of auditioning for the prestigious South Korean record label YG Entertainment during their Thailand recruitment drive. Despite having no ability to speak Korean at the time, her raw talent transcended language barriers. The audition process was rigorous, designed to identify exceptional performers with the potential to thrive in the competitive K-pop industry.

What made her performance particularly memorable was her fearlessness and stage presence. As one YG representative later recounted, "She seemed promising and was full of confidence. I will never forget the moment when she jumped off the stage, right in front of my eyes. I realized that only ones with enough bravery and confidence can do that". This singular moment of boldness made an indelible impression on the judges.

After the audition, Lisa and her mother anxiously awaited a response. "We made an audition for YG, but YG didn't contact us back. We really wanted to get it," she later shared in a Billboard interview. The waiting period tested her resolve, yet her persistence would ultimately be rewarded.

Being the only one selected out of 4,000 applicants

In an extraordinary testament to her exceptional abilities, Lalisa Manoban emerged as the sole candidate selected from approximately 4,000 hopeful applicants at the Thailand audition. This remarkable achievement prompted YG Entertainment's then-CEO Yang Hyun-suk to personally offer her a trainee position.

Several factors contributed to her selection:

Her extraordinary dancing skills set her apart immediately
Lisa's natural stage charisma and musicality captured attention
Her appearance and camera presence aligned perfectly with YG's aesthetic
Reports indicated exceptional discipline and adaptability
Her Thai background offered cross-border marketability potential

In April 2011, she officially began her journey as a YG Entertainment trainee at just 14 years old. This milestone was particularly significant as she became the label's first non-ethnically Korean trainee, breaking new ground in an industry traditionally dominated by Korean nationals.

The transition required tremendous courage, as she would need to leave her family and comfortable life in Thailand to pursue her dreams in a foreign country. Her former teacher, Ratchadaporn Ruengrit, recalled Lisa seeking advice: "Before she left for Korea, she came to me for advice about whether or not she should go. She has always been determined and responsible, ever since she was a child. And since she managed to achieve all this, I told her she should go".

This pivotal audition marked merely the beginning of what would become an extraordinary five-year training period before Lalisa Manoban would emerge as one of K-pop's most recognizable global superstars.

Training Years in South Korea

In April 2011, a fourteen-year-old Lalisa Manoban arrived in South Korea to begin her K-pop journey—alone in a foreign country without knowing a single Korean word. After her successful audition, she embarked on what would become a grueling five-year training period before finally debuting with BLACKPINK in 2016.

Adapting to a new culture and language

Arriving in South Korea as YG Entertainment's first non-ethnically Korean trainee presented immediate challenges. Most compelling evidence of her initial struggles came from her own accounts of homesickness: "She recalled the days training as a teen where she had to call her mom in Bangkok daily because of how lonely and drained she felt".

Apart from emotional adjustments, Lalisa faced the monumental task of learning Korean from scratch. Unlike Korean trainees who attended local schools, foreign trainees like her had to juggle intensive performance training with language classes. Throughout this adaptation period, she studied at an international school while Korean trainees attended local institutions.

Nonetheless, her multicultural background likely aided her adaptability. As time passed, she gradually integrated into Korean society, even establishing connections with other Thai trainees in Korea, joining a dance group named "We Zaa Cool" alongside fellow Thai performers BamBam and Ten.

Challenges of being a non-Korean trainee

Foreign trainees in K-pop face unique obstacles beyond just language barriers. In reality, many companies provide minimal support for cultural assimilation, leaving international trainees to navigate these challenges independently. Under those circumstances, the pressure to adapt quickly can be overwhelming.

Moreover, the training itself was extraordinarily demanding. Lalisa Manoban's typical day began at 5 AM with extra dance practice before school started at 8 AM, followed by additional training until 11 PM or later. Her schedule involved 12-15 hours of daily training plus monthly evaluation tests that determined whether trainees could continue with the company.

The competitive atmosphere added another layer of difficulty: "The environment was way too tense and competitive to forge real friendships. The stressful atmosphere was heightened by the monthly showcase events. Each trainee would perform in front of everyone and be evaluated by the instructors. If a trainee didn't get a good grade, then they would be kicked out immediately".

Her growth as a performer during training

Owing to her natural talent and extraordinary work ethic, Lalisa continued developing her skills despite these obstacles. Throughout her five-year training period, she specialized in dance while also honing her rapping and vocal abilities.

What distinguished her from other trainees was not just her talent but her attitude. "Till this day, despite how competitive her industry is, Lisa rarely complained about anything". This positive mindset made her a source of encouragement for fellow trainees: "Most trainees in her company had spoke fondly on how Lisa had encouraged them".

Her perseverance finally paid off when she debuted with BLACKPINK on August 8, 2016. The shy fourteen-year-old who once struggled with Korean had transformed into a confident performer ready to take on global stages—proof of an extraordinary journey marked by resilience, dedication, and unwavering determination.

Debut with BLACKPINK and Rise to Fame

August 8, 2016 marked a pivotal moment in K-pop history as BLACKPINK officially burst onto the music scene with their debut single album "Square One," featuring the chart-topping tracks "Whistle" and "Boombayah". After more than five years of rigorous training, Lalisa Manoban had finally achieved her dream.

BLACKPINK's debut and Lisa's role

Prior to the group's official launch, YG Entertainment strategically revealed Lisa as the second member of BLACKPINK on June 7, 2016. From the beginning, she assumed multiple critical roles within the quartet: main dancer, lead rapper, sub-vocalist, and maknae (youngest member). As the first non-ethnically Korean artist to debut under YG Entertainment, her presence brought unique international appeal to the group's identity.

Throughout the group's early performances, Lisa's extraordinary dancing abilities immediately caught attention. Industry insiders often remarked that "from the moment Blackpink debuted with 'Whistle' and 'Boombayah,' Lisa had 'it'". Her exceptional stage presence and technical precision established her reputation as one of the most outstanding dance performers among K-pop idols across all generations.

Breakthrough hits and global recognition

Following their initial success, BLACKPINK's global journey accelerated dramatically. Consequently, in 2018, the group signed a strategic partnership with Interscope Records to expand their international reach. This alliance propelled them into worldwide prominence, with Lisa's distinctive rapping style and dance performances becoming signature elements of their cross-cultural appeal.

On November 5, 2018, Lisa launched her personal YouTube channel, "Lilifilm Official," initially focusing on travel and lifestyle content before evolving to showcase her exceptional dance performances. Her choreography videos gained extraordinary traction, with one particular dance performance going viral in 2020, even inspiring celebrities like Dolly Parton, Stephen Colbert, and Lil Nas X to participate in the trend.

Her evolution as the group's main dancer and rapper

Throughout the years, Lisa continued refining her performance abilities, expanding beyond her initial roles. According to fellow BLACKPINK members, off-stage she maintained a playful, mischievous personality that contrasted with her fierce performance persona. This duality endeared her to fans worldwide.

Her technical mastery became increasingly evident in BLACKPINK's successive releases. In 2025, the group released "Jump," which shattered records by claiming the #1 spot on Spotify's Global Weekly Top Songs chart with nearly 45 million streams in just seven days. This achievement cemented BLACKPINK as the dominant K-pop group on the platform.

Behind Lisa's powerful performances lay constant dedication to improvement. Beyond group activities, she served as dance mentor on two seasons of the Chinese survival show "Youth With You" (2020-2021), further establishing her credentials as an elite dance instructor and performer. Her journey from talented trainee to global dance icon exemplified her relentless pursuit of artistic excellence.

Solo Career and Musical Achievements

After years of success with BLACKPINK, Lalisa Manoban embarked on her solo journey in 2021, establishing herself as a formidable independent artist within the global music landscape.

Debut with 'Lalisa' and 'Money'

September 10, 2021 marked a milestone in Lalisa Manoban's career as she released her debut single album "Lalisa" through YG Entertainment and Interscope Records. The title track "Lalisa" immediately demonstrated her star power, debuting at number two on the Billboard Global 200 chart. However, it was the B-side track "Money" that ultimately became her breakout solo hit, achieving unprecedented commercial success.

"Money," an American rap style track with boastful lyrics about wealth and success, was released to US contemporary hit radio on November 9, 2021. The song's performance video became the fastest K-pop performance video to reach 500 million views on YouTube, achieving this feat in less than six months. As of May 27, 2024, the video had surpassed one billion views, making Lisa the second BLACKPINK member and only the third solo K-pop artist in history to reach this milestone.

Record-breaking YouTube and Spotify stats

Throughout her solo career, Lalisa Manoban has shattered numerous records across streaming platforms. The music video for "Lalisa" recorded 73.6 million views on YouTube in its first 24 hours, becoming the most-viewed music video in the first 24 hours by a solo artist, breaking a record previously held by Ariana Grande.

Even more impressively, "Money" earned a Guinness World Record in 2023 for becoming the first K-pop track by a solo artist to reach one billion streams on Spotify. Currently, the song has amassed over 1.35 billion streams on the platform. This achievement solidified her position as one of the most successful K-pop soloists globally.

Recent album 'Alter Ego' and global chart success

In February 2025, Lalisa released her debut studio album "Alter Ego" through her newly established label LLOUD and RCA Records. This 15-track album explored hip-hop, electropop, and trap styles while featuring several high-profile collaborations with artists including Rosalía, Tyla, Future, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, and Raye.

The album's commercial performance proved impressive, debuting at number seven on the US Billboard 200 chart with 45,500 album-equivalent units in its first week. It simultaneously topped Billboard's Top Album Sales chart, marking her first number-one solo album. Internationally, "Alter Ego" reached the top ten in numerous countries including Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

The album spawned multiple successful singles, including:

"Rockstar" - Reached the top five of Billboard Global 200
"Born Again" (featuring Doja Cat and RAYE) - Topped charts in Thailand
"Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)" - Generated significant streaming numbers

Personal Life and Public Persona

Behind the dazzling performances and fashion magazine covers, Lalisa Manoban maintains a personal life that balances privacy with glimpses into her authentic self. Currently standing at 28 years old in 2025, the multifaceted artist continues to charm fans with her off-stage persona.

Lalisa Manoban age and personality traits

Born on March 27, 1997, Lalisa possesses a personality that markedly contrasts with her powerful stage presence. According to bandmates and staff, she exhibits a playful, mischievous nature when cameras stop rolling. This duality between her fierce performance energy and lighthearted personal demeanor has endeared her to fans worldwide. Naturally gifted with languages, she speaks fluent Thai, English, and Korean, along with basic Japanese and Chinese.

Her pets and hobbies

Away from the spotlight, Lalisa's love for animals shines through her role as a devoted pet parent. She currently cares for five cats named Leo, Luca, Lily, Louis, and Lego, plus a Doberman puppy named Love whom she adopted in 2021. Her passion for photography remains a longtime hobby, with fellow BLACKPINK members often becoming her subjects. Additionally, she enjoys collecting lipsticks and notably values sleep as a restorative escape from her demanding schedule.

Rumors about Lalisa Manoban boyfriend

Throughout recent years, speculation has linked Lalisa romantically with Frédéric Arnault, CEO of luxury watch brand TAG Heuer and son of LVMH Group chairman Bernard Arnault. The pair first appeared together at a BLACKPINK concert in November 2022, with Arnault subsequently posting about the experience on Instagram. Henceforth, they have been spotted together across multiple international locations including Paris, New York, Italy, and Hawaii. Interestingly, her 2024 single "Moonlit Floor" contains lyrics about a "Green-eyed French boy," though when questioned directly by Billboard about the reference, she simply responded, "Well, I didn't write that".

Her relationship with BLACKPINK members

At the core of Lalisa's personal connections remains her bond with fellow BLACKPINK members. Beyond their professional relationship, she maintains friendships outside the group as well, particularly with Thai artists in the industry. Uniquely, she belongs to the 'Thai line' group chat that includes GOT7's BamBam, CLC's Sorn, and NCT's Ten. From time to time, Lisa shows support for her bandmates' solo ventures, exemplifying the genuine camaraderie that exists beyond their shared stage performances.