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Maroon 5 has officially released their highly anticipated collaboration with BLACKPINK's Lisa, titled “Priceless.” The track is now streaming on all major platforms, blending Lisa’s charisma with Maroon 5’s smooth pop-rock sound. It’s already generating global buzz, not just as a chart contender, but as as another major milestone in Lisa’s solo journey.
Lisa vs Jennie 2025: BLACKPINK’s Solo Careers ComparedK-Pop StoriesApr 25, 2025
In this article, we will look back at how Lisa broke barriers in the K-Pop industry and rose to become a global solo star — all as a foreigner in one of the most competitive industry.
From Small-Town Thai Girl to K-Pop Trailblazer
Lisa, born Lalisa Manobal in Thailand, was only 13 years old when she auditioned for YG Entertainment. She competed with over 4,000 hopefuls and become the company’s first non-Korean trainee.
In a 2021 interview with Thai host WOODY, Lisa opened up about her early training days:
“Things were tough… I was alone, making decisions independently and handling money. I had never had to do this in my entire life… Sometimes I wanted to give my mum a kiss. But we were only able to chat by video.”
She arrived in Korea without knowing Korean, but she was not discouraged. She learned Korean every day, trusted in her BLACKPINK members, and debuted in 2016 in a bid to rewrite K-Pop history as the first Thai to debut under YG Entertainment.
Going Solo: Breaking Records and Expectations
She released her debut solo song, "LALISA," in 2021 and broke YouTube records with a record-breaking 73.6 million in a mere 24 hours. "MONEY" was the next one — it was a TikTok hit and Spotify chart-topper worldwide—among all English songs. The track showcased her vocal versatility, proving she could hold her own beyond rap and dance.
And Lisa didn't hold back. She became a global ambassador for Celine, Bulgari, and MAC Cosmetics and went on to launch her own label, LLoud, in 2024 to show the world she is more than just an entertainer — she is a girl boss!
Why Lisa’s Journey Means So Much
Lisa's Instagram
Lisa’s rise beyond the marketing strategy of entertainment agencies for Southeast Asian market reach. She didn’t debut to serve a demographic quota. She achieved her success through her talent, perseverance, and unwavering hard work. It is a personal journey she went through to get this win.
For fans in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and beyond, she is more than a K-Pop idol but a symbol of hope and possibility. Lisa proves several things in the K-Pop industry.
-You don't have to be Korean to succeed in K-Pop.
-You are capable of crossing cultural and language barriers through authenticity.
-You can stay just the way you are and be a global icon.
Lisa isn’t following trends because she’s setting them.
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