LISA Says She Hid Past Relationships to Protect BLACKPINK—and “Dream” Was Personal

LISA Explains the Personal Price of Protecting BLACKPINK

For years, LISA kept part of her life hidden—not because those relationships meant nothing, but because BLACKPINK meant too much to risk.

In her upcoming documentary Always Lalisa, she confirms having several relationships when she was younger. However, she believed being photographed with someone could damage an idol’s popularity, and her greatest concern extended beyond her own image.

“I didn’t want my dating to be the thing that hurts BLACKPINK’s popularity.”

The disclosure, reported from an advance look at the documentary and covered by Complex, is not a list of romantic revelations. LISA provides no names or complete timeline.

It instead shows how she separated Lalisa Manobal’s private emotions from LISA’s public identity during BLACKPINK’s rise.

“Dream” Was Inspired by a Real Relationship

One of those hidden relationships eventually became music.

LISA confirms that “Dream,” the vulnerable closing track from her 2025 album Alter Ego, was inspired by a former partner. Before releasing it, she contacted that person and asked permission to transform their history into a song.

They agreed on one condition: fans could not identify them.

That revelation changes how “Dream” feels. The ballad looks back on a painful separation and imagines whether two former lovers might reconnect. Its references to 2019 and Tokyo naturally encouraged listeners to search for clues.

We now know the emotions came from a genuine chapter of LISA’s life—but that does not confirm anyone’s identity.

No reliable evidence connects the song to former YG rapper Jaewon, a BTS member or another celebrity suggested online. LISA responds to those theories with confidence:

“They thought they figured it out, but I don’t think so.”

Kentaro Sakaguchi, who portrayed her partner in the “Dream” short film, was playing a fictional role. His appearance does not identify her ex.

LISA Is Finally Telling Her Story on Her Terms

There is something powerful about LISA confirming the truth behind “Dream” without breaking her promise to the person involved.

She acknowledges experiencing love and heartbreak while remaining part of BLACKPINK, yet refuses to turn her former partner into a public character. The revelation invites fans to understand her—not investigate her.

That boundary connects to the documentary’s larger story. LISA moved to South Korea at 14, endured constant evaluations and learned to suppress her opinions. She now describes her independent chapter simply: “I finally get to live my life.”

According to Sony Music Vision, Always Lalisa follows her year away from BLACKPINK’s schedule as she builds LLOUD, launches Alter Ego and pursues acting before returning to the group.

When “Always Lalisa” Will Be Released

Directed by Sue Kim, the documentary premieres at TIFF on September 11, 2026.

Tickets for its limited worldwide engagement go on sale September 9, before cinema and IMAX screenings begin October 12. A YouTube Premium release will follow later in 2026.

LISA once kept these memories private to protect BLACKPINK. Now she is sharing them in her own voice without surrendering control of the people behind them.

“Dream” was never a puzzle asking fans to identify her ex. It was LISA reclaiming a memory she was finally ready to share. 💛