When HBO announced season three of its luxurious drama series The White Lotus, fans swooned over the starry ensemble cast. Notable Hollywood names included Avengers star Carrie Coon, Mission: Impossible's Michelle Monaghan, Sex Education's Aimee Lou Wood, and Patrick Schwarzenegger. But the buzziest casting decision wasn't anyone you've seen acting on screen before: it was K-pop superstar Lalisa Manobal.
Known mononymously to millions of Blackpink fans as Lisa, the South Korean singer makes her acting debut as Mook, the smiley and upbeat wellness adviser of the fictional hotel franchise's Thai branch. The third season of Mike White's acclaimed satire sees a new group of affluent, complicated, and prickly holidaymakers checking in. On the basis of the first two seasons, viewers can expect lashings of debauchery, backstabbing, and dreadful behavior – with a side order of social commentary.
Manobal's fans have never seen her act, but they are already confident in her thespian abilities. Look at any promotional content surrounding The White Lotus's third season, and you'll find the comments section filled with fans celebrating Manobal's sashay into acting. “I am so excited for actress Lisa!” wrote one fan. “Thailand is proud of you!” chimed another. “LISAAA? OH MY GOD MY LIFE IS MADE!” It's easy to see why they have so much faith in her next career move: they've witnessed the singer climb through the brutal K-pop industrial complex since she was a young teen.
From Buriram to Seoul: The Making of a Star
Born in the Buriram Province of Thailand in 1997, Manobal beat thousands of other hopefuls at an open audition for the South Korean entertainment agency YG at age 13. She moved to South Korea in 2011 to begin formal training alongside other hopeful pop stars, initially appearing as a background dancer for K-boybands iKon and Winner. When Blackpink was formed by YG – matching Manobal with members Jisoo, Rosé, and Jennie – the four were thrust into an intense schedule of 14-hour-long training days. They lived together and were subject to strict rules about dieting, dating, phone access, and their appearances.
When the band debuted in 2016, Manobal became YG's first-ever K-pop star of non-Korean descent. She quickly adapted to Korean culture, becoming fluent in the language and winning legions of fans – there are 105 million of them on Instagram alone. Expectations of the group were high. YG's beloved four-member girl group 2NE1 had disbanded, and it was up to Blackpink to resuscitate the EDM-style hyper pop sound adored by K-pop fans.
They succeeded beyond anyone's wildest dreams. Blackpink's stardom has seen them transcend geographical borders: their 2022 album, Born Pink, became the first K-pop girl group album to top the US and UK charts. They were the first Korean girl group to headline Coachella. And in 2023, the band accompanied South Korea's president and first lady on a state visit to the UK. King Charles awarded each member with honorary MBEs for their environmental advocacy work at the COP26 summit.
Lisa's Solo Stardom and Record-Breaking Achievements
While Blackpink's collective success is staggering, Lisa has carved out an equally impressive solo career. She launched her solo journey in 2021, juggling it alongside her Blackpink commitments. Her self-titled debut solo album Lalisa was released to huge fanfare and broke records internationally. Her single “Money” became the longest-charting song by a female K-pop soloist on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK singles chart. She was also named the first K-pop solo artist to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify. In South Korea, Lalisa made her the first female soloist to surpass 500,000 sales within one week of release.
These achievements are all the more remarkable given the grueling path she traveled. The 2020 Netflix documentary Blackpink: Light Up the Sky offered a glimpse of the group's harsh training schedules. All of the members admitted they experienced loneliness after leaving home so young – with one of them breaking down in tears – but Manobal displayed a steely resilience. “I had to keep fighting,” she said. Elsewhere in the documentary, her bandmates expressed admiration for her star power. Jennie Kim remembered meeting Manobal at training camp and thinking: “As soon as Lisa came in, that's when I thought, 'Wow, there are people who are born to do this.'”
Stepping into the White Lotus Universe
If any pop star can join HBO's award-winning holiday drama with no acting experience, it's Manobal. She didn't walk into the audition for The White Lotus expecting to get the part, but when she received the news, surrounded by friends and family, she cried. “I'm super excited and nervous, because it's my first acting project,” she told Elle. “So I was happy for a second, and then I was like, 'Oh, wait, wait, how am I going to deliver this?'”
Manobal took a handful of acting classes before arriving in Thailand to begin shooting the series in February 2024. “I did take lessons a few times, but my schedule isn't very flexible, so I stopped,” she explained. Her co-stars, aware of her lack of acting experience, were supportive during filming. “On set, everyone was so professional,” Manobal said. “They understood that it was my first time acting, so they tried to help me and give me advice, like 'Oh, you shouldn't stress. You're going to be fine.'” Instead of doubting her abilities, she approached filming days as if she were shooting a music video. “It's pretty new to me, but I think it's similar to shooting music videos. I'm excited for my fans to see it. I feel like people are going to fall in love with Thailand even more.”
Mook, Gaitok, and a Love Story Set in Thailand
Manobal's character Mook is calm and softly spoken, even when dealing with the feral guests' most demanding requests. It's her relationship with security guard Gaitok, played by Tayme Thapthimthong, that becomes a central storyline in the new season. Speaking about working so closely with Manobal, Thapthimthong said: “She really helped me out with the Thai dialogue. She really made the effort to give me a call, inviting me to lunch, dinner or a boat trip when we weren't shooting.”
Lou Wood, who plays Walton Goggins's party-animal younger girlfriend, said witnessing Manobal's first scenes was “amazing because she was so nervous and scared. She's got so much humility. She absolutely nailed it; I was so impressed by her. Her storyline with Tayme is one of my favourite of the season, it's so beautiful.”
Acting may be new to Manobal, but she took comfort in filming The White Lotus in her home country, with locations in Bangkok and the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui. It marked a welcome opportunity to return to her roots after years of working overseas. “My mom came to stay a few times, and I could have Thai food as much as I wanted,” she told Elle. “It was so nice, and I have never spent that much time in Thailand after I left. I felt like I was home, and I got a lot of energy from that trip as well.”
Why Lisa Is the Actress to Watch
The White Lotus certainly marks another huge opportunity for the singer. Her journey from a teenage trainee in Seoul to an international superstar is a testament to her determination and versatility. Whether she's commanding a stage in front of 100,000 fans or trading dialogue with seasoned actors in paradise, Lisa brings the same discipline and spark that has defined her career. Her character Mook is poised to be a breakout role, not just because of Lisa's star power, but because she grounds the chaotic world of the resort with warmth and subtlety. The White Lotus has always thrived on unexpected casting choices, and Lisa Manobal is the perfect example of that risk paying off. With a compelling romantic arc, a stunning Thai backdrop, and a performer eager to prove herself, this season promises to be unforgettable. Speaking about the hardships she faced during her K-pop training, she didn't dwell on difficulties. “I had to give it my all,” she said. “I didn't care about how long it would take. I said 'Bring it on! I don't care anymore!'” It's that very spirit she brings to her acting debut – and it's why audiences around the world will be watching.
Source: Yahoo News Canada News