(Photo courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment Korea)

[Hanteo News = Reporter KIM YEONWOO] BLACKPINK member and global artist LISA is once again exploring new territory as a solo artist. Having established her own musical identity distinct from her group activities, LISA has returned with an album that combines her cultural roots with cinematic storytelling.

Released on October 23, her new EP ‘PRESS PLAY’ features six tracks, ranging from ‘SaWaDiKa’, inspired by a traditional Thai greeting, to the cinematic title track ‘Tarantino’. By incorporating her Thai heritage into her music while weaving the songs into a narrative that unfolds like a film, LISA showcases new possibilities for her career as a solo artist.

(Photo courtesy of LISA's Instagram)

‘SaWaDiKa’: A Celebration of LISA's Thai Roots

Opening ‘PRESS PLAY’, the track ‘SaWaDiKa’ takes its name from a traditional Thai greeting. Filmed in LISA's hometown of Bangkok, the music video captures Thailand's landscapes and cultural elements, bringing the song's meaning into sharper focus. Rather than simply using Thailand as a backdrop, LISA incorporates her cultural identity into both the music and visuals.

LISA previously showcased her Thai heritage through her solo releases ‘LALISA’ and ‘ROCKSTAR’, drawing inspiration from Thai culture and locations to establish her distinct artistic style. ‘SaWaDiKa’ continues this approach, offering a glimpse of how the global artist is revisiting her roots even as her international career continues to grow.

The song has also attracted attention for its commercial achievements. The music video for ‘SaWaDiKa’ surpassed 70.8 million YouTube views within 24 hours of its release, setting a new personal record for LISA and recording the highest first-day view count among music videos released in 2026. The song also debuted at No. 69 on Billboard's Hot 100, marking LISA's highest debut on the chart as a solo artist.

 

(Photo courtesy of LISA's Instagram)

‘Tarantino’: A Story That Unfolds Like a Film

The title track ‘Tarantino’ most directly captures the cinematic atmosphere that defines ‘PRESS PLAY’. Combining powerful pop and hip-hop sounds with tones reminiscent of the phin, a traditional Thai string instrument, the song creates a distinctive musical atmosphere. Its blend of cinematic imagination and Thai cultural influences highlights LISA's individual musical identity.

In the music video, LISA makes her way through a hotel to deliver a letter to one of her favorite film directors, Quentin Tarantino. The action sequences that unfold as she moves toward her destination transform the music video into a complete narrative.

The album features six tracks in total: ‘SaWaDiKa’, ‘V12’, ‘Cobra’, ‘Cut U Off’, ‘Tarantino’, and ‘Sweat’. With each song featuring its own character and story, LISA designed the album to be experienced as though watching a film. Even the title ‘PRESS PLAY’ can be interpreted as an invitation to press the play button and step into the world she has created.

This cinematic concept extended to a listening party held ahead of the album's release. On October 22, LISA hosted a ‘PRESS PLAY’ listening party for Korean fans in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. The venue was designed to resemble a vintage Hollywood theater, where attendees were given an early preview of all six tracks. The event expanded the album's cinematic experience beyond the music itself, bringing its atmosphere into a physical space.
 

(Photo courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment Korea)

Different Influences, One Distinctive World: LISA's Musical Identity

‘SaWaDiKa’ and ‘Tarantino’ explore two different directions, with one rooted in Thai cultural identity and the other centered on cinematic storytelling. Yet both share a common thread: LISA takes an active role in telling her own story as an artist. By embracing her cultural roots while experimenting with new genres and visual concepts, she continues to broaden her artistic range as a solo performer.

A K-POP artist's decision to highlight their cultural roots should not necessarily be seen as a departure from K-POP. On the contrary, incorporating individual cultural identities into music can help K-POP evolve beyond a single, fixed style into a genre that embraces a wider variety of cultures and stories. LISA's ability to place her Thai heritage at the forefront of her work while maintaining a strong presence in the global music market demonstrates this potential.

Her activities are also expanding beyond music. LISA delivered the debut performance of ‘SaWaDiKa’ at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), where she also won Best Pop for ‘Dream’, becoming the first K-POP solo artist to achieve the distinction. Meanwhile, her documentary ‘Always Lalisa’ premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, bringing her personal story beyond music to the screen.

LISA's journey, which began in Thailand, continues to unfold across music, visuals, and cinematic storytelling. By embracing her roots, she demonstrates how cultural identity can become a powerful way to connect with audiences around the world.

‘PRESS PLAY’ offers a glimpse of the stories LISA has yet to tell, while also raising expectations for the increasingly diverse cultural influences that K-POP may embrace in the future.

 yeonwoo38@hanteo.com