The third season of The White Lotus is has finally arrived after fans were teased with cast announcements and the confirmation that the show would be set in Thailand. As per the show's tradition, the third season opens with a mysterious dead body, revealed in a flash-forward scene set one week after holidaymakers arrive on the popular Thai island destination of Koh Samui. The cast includes Natasha Rothwell, Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Aimee Lou Wood to name a few, but amongst the mix of Hollywood actors lies a K-pop star making the transition into acting with her debut in the show.
Known for being in globally-renowned South Korean girl group BLACKPINK, Lalisa Manobal (known as Lisa), will also appear in this season of The White Lotus as Mook, a young, kind, and cheerful wellness adviser at the resort. Off duty, she develops a flirtatious friendship with Gaitok, a security guard played by Tayme Thapthimthong. In the show’s trailer, Lisa sparked intrigue by saying, “Everyone comes to Thailand. They’re hiding from someone or they’re looking for someone.”.
Over on X, previously known as Twitter, ardent fans have been singing the praises of the 27-year-old sensation. "Just finished the first episode, and I'm so proud of Lisa! She played her sweet, flirty character so well - her expressions and dialogue were so refined, you'd think she's a seasoned actress," commented one admirer. Another enthused: "I don't follow BLACKPINK closely but I thought Lisa did really well in episode 1 of #THEWHITELOTUS Season 3. Her fans should be very proud!".
A Reddit user also joined in acclaiming her talent: "She [Lisa] did incredible, I know we probably won't see her much but since it was her debut she did very well, I'm proud of her.". In an interview with ELLE about The White Lotus, Lalisa had said: “I’m super excited and nervous because it’s my first acting project.” She also revealed that she took acting classes before filming began in February last year.
Born in Thailand, Lisa pursued her dream of becoming a K-pop idol by auditioning for YG Entertainment, where she was the only participant selected from 4,000 applicants. After five years and three months of rigorous training, she debuted alongside Jisoo, Jennie, and Rosé as part of BLACKPINK, now one of the most successful girl groups in the world. Since then, BLACKPINK has racked up billions of views, managed to sell out their world tours, won multiple awards and performed at the biggest events in the music industry - remember Coachella?.
After departing from YG Entertainment last year, Lisa and the other BLACKPINK members chose to pursue solo careers while remaining under the company as a group. Lisa has made major moves by signing a solo deal with RCA Records and launching her own label, LLOUD Entertainment. Since then, she has released four singles, with her debut album, Alter Ego, set for release on 28 February 2025. The album will feature collaborations with Doja Cat, RAYE, and Rosalía.
The singer also made headlines as a headliner at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in October 2024, becoming the first-ever K-pop idol to perform at the event. She has also built strong relationships with luxury fashion brands such as Celine, Louis Vuitton, and Bvlgari. As BLINKs, her dedicated fanbase, eagerly await BLACKPINK’s return after a three-year hiatus, Lisa surprised fans by making her acting debut in The White Lotus, with many praising her performance. One thing is certain - fans can expect plenty of drama, action, and romance in the new season of The White Lotus, and maybe even more acting roles for Lisa in the future, as she has expressed interest in pursuing an acting career.
