After 7 years with YG, Lisa finally parted ways with the agency in 2024. A year ago, Lisa faced numerous controversies, including dating rumors and her controversial performance at Crazy Horse, leading many netizens to fear that her career would decline without the curation of YG.
One year later, things have taken a different turn. The youngest BLACKPINK member has continuously made new strides in her career, even thriving more than she did while with YG Entertainment.
In fact, the storm that many feared Lisa would endure after her departure from the agency has now proven to be a storm of top-notch opportunities.
Released Two Solo Songs
During her 7 years at YG, Lisa only released two solo tracks, “Lalisa” and “Money”. Yet, within just one year after leaving YG, she boosted her productivity and released 2 impressive new songs.
Lisa has aimed for global stardom and has successfully entered the international market. She founded her own company, Lloud, and signed with American record label RCA Records, home to stars like ABBA, Alicia Keys, Becky G, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, Shakira, and Zayn Malik.
In addition, Lisa quickly dropped the track “Rockstar”, marking her first solo endeavor on her own terms. The music was crafted by hitmakers Ryan Tedder and Sam Homaee, while the lavish music video, shot in Thailand, cleverly showcased her home culture to a global audience.
Despite some controversies over plagiarism and meaningless lyrics, “Rockstar” was undeniably successful. The song broke multiple records, surpassing Lisa’s previous solo releases to reach No. 8 on Spotify’s global chart upon release, the highest rank ever achieved by a K-pop female solo artist on the platform. Cultural critic Kim Do-heon even stated that “Rockstar” marks Lisa’s rise as a rare Asian pop star emerging from a K-pop group on the global stage.
Soon after, Lisa released another hit, “New Woman”, where she collaborates with Rosalía. This song broke her own record, garnering 6,007,496 streams at its debut and reaching No. 4 on Spotify’s global chart. “New Woman” also ranked in the top 5 most-streamed debut collaborations by female artists in Spotify’s global history. Clearly, Lisa’s music career post-YG is flourishing.
Performing at Prestigious International Events
After leaving YG, Lisa continuously appeared at high-profile international events. Her first major performance was at “Le Gala des Pièces Jaunes”, a charity event organized by France’s First Lady.
Though her performance was only a part of the 2024 Gala, fans loudly chanted her name upon her appearance. Many even turned the event into a mini solo concert for Lisa, enthusiastically singing along to “Lalisa” and “Money”.
Lisa also wowed audiences at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), marking her first solo appearance at an international awards show. She dazzled on the red carpet, lit up the stage, and made history by winning her second “Best Kpop” award. She became the first and only K-pop solo artist to win the prestigious award twice.
Additionally, Lisa created a buzz by confirming her performance at the “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2024”, set for October 15. Fans are eagerly anticipating her appearance alongside the famous Victoria’s Secret angels, as Lisa boasts a stunning physique perfect for the runway.
Balancing Career and Personal Life
Rumors of Lisa dating Frédéric Arnault, son of the world’s second-richest man, surfaced in July of last year. The couple has since been spotted together in various locations worldwide, though they haven’t publicly commented on their relationship.
Initially, Lisa’s fans were shocked and skeptical about her dating life, but they have since come to accept it. The couple has busy schedules but makes time to meet around the globe. Lisa has even met Frédéric Arnault’s family, strengthening their relationship, with Lisa serving as a brand ambassador for Louis Vuitton – a key label in her boyfriend’s family business.