BLACKPINK’s Lisa Criticized for Limited Screen Time in “The White Lotus”: Like Casting Lady Gaga as an Extra
Lisa (real name Lalisa Manoban) of BLACKPINK recently made her acting debut in Season 3 of HBO’s hit series “The White Lotus,” which has now concluded. However, the show has drawn criticism for giving Lisa an extremely limited role, with several Western media outlets labeling it “a waste of top talent.”
“The White Lotus” is a globally popular series that portrays the events unfolding over a week at a luxurious resort. Season 3, available in South Korea via Coupang Play, saw record-breaking viewership for its finale: Episode 8 drew 6.2 million viewers, the highest in the show’s history.
Lisa portrayed ‘Mook,’ a charming hotel employee. Though she displayed her bilingual fluency in English and Thai, her role did not extend far beyond that. The UK’s The Guardian wrote that Lisa “had laughably little to do,” sharply adding, “It’s like hiring Lady Gaga and using her as an extra.” Other international outlets echoed similar sentiments, calling Mook a “one-dimensional character unfit for an A-list K-pop star.”
Lisa had previously expressed excitement about joining the show. In a February interview with Variety, she said, “I was already a fan of The White Lotus, and I was thrilled to be cast as Mook.” She admitted being nervous on set, saying, “I was sweating and couldn’t remember my lines on the first day.”
Describing her character, she said, “Mook is similar to me, but she’s more ladylike and flirtatious. I’m a bit more of a tomboy.”
Though the role received mixed reactions, “The White Lotus” marked Lisa’s first official step into acting since her debut with BLACKPINK in 2016. It was a new challenge in her multifaceted career.
BLACKPINK is set to reconnect with global fans through their upcoming BLACKPINK 2025 WORLD TOUR, kicking off July 5–6 at Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
