Blackpink's Lisa becomes a “K-pop first” in Asian Hall of Fame, marking global impact. Her journey, from auditions to solo stardom, symbolizes her dedication
Lisa, from Blackpink, is set to be honored as a “cultural icon” in the Asian Hall of Fame. The first K-pop idol inducted, she stands with legends like Freddie Mercury and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Founded in 2004, the Asian Hall of Fame illuminates Asian contributions and fosters cross-cultural understanding.
Lisa's initial steps into the world of entertainment were under the name Pranpriya Manoban, later to be known as Lalisa. The journey to K-pop glory began when she audaciously participated in a YG Entertainment audition, competing among 4,000 aspirants. Among them, Lisa stood out, earning her a coveted spot in the agency. Her training journey encompassed five years, where she consistently demonstrated her vocal, dance, and rap skills.
Lisa joined the South Korean girl group Blackpink, becoming one of its four members and the label's first non-ethnically Korean artist. As Blackpink burst onto the scene on August 8, 2016, Lisa's role as the lead dancer and rapper showcased her multifaceted abilities. Her passion for K-pop, cultivated since her youth, became the driving force behind her tireless efforts. But her journey wasn't without challenges. As a foreign idol, Lisa faced the obstacles of adjusting to a new country, culture, and language.
As time passed, Lisa's global influence grew exponentially. She set a record as the K-pop idol with the most Instagram followers, with her account boasting a staggering 96.8 million fans. Her captivating beauty and fashion sense captured the attention of iconic brands like Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and Celine, ultimately making her Celine's chosen muse.
In September 2021, Lisa marked her solo debut with the album "Lalisa," a ground breaking move that resulted in her being the first female artist to achieve sales of 736,000 copies in its inaugural week in South Korea. The accompanying music video for the title track amassed a staggering 73.6 million YouTube views within a day, setting a new benchmark for solo artists. Both "Lalisa" and the album's viral second single "Money" secured positions in Billboard Global 200's top 10.
Notably, "Lalisa" became the premier K-pop soloist's album to cross 1 billion Spotify streams. Along her journey, Lisa attained an impressive array of honors, including seven Guinness World Records, prestigious music awards, and the distinction of being the most-followed K-pop artist on Instagram since 2019.