K-pop's Lisa on life beyond Blackpink

Years before K-pop girl group Blackpink was shattering streaming records and headlining Coachella, 14-year-old Lalisa Manobal (known mononymously as Lisa) was flying from Thailand to Korea, alone, to chase her dream of performing onstage. 

And perform she did: Since joining Blackpink in 2016, the group has emerged as one of South Korea's most influential cultural exports, solidifying its status as a creative powerhouse on the world stage.

Now, after a transformative year away from the group captured in her new documentary, "Always Lalisa," Lisa is embarking a new chapter of her career, including a solo EP and an expanding acting career following her debut in the latest season of "The White Lotus."

For our latest Culture Current, a weekly Q&A series with cultural tastemakers, producer Kate Skelly sat down with Lisa to discuss the film, her solo journey, and what it means to redefine yourself on your own terms.

If you'd like to explore more of our Culture Current series, I'd recommend checking out our recent conversations with political theorist Francis Fukuyama, performance artist Marina Abramovic, and documentarian Ken Burns.