BLACKPINK’s Lisa struggled with Korean during her trainee days, her trainer reveals

Lisa, the Thai-born global superstar and BLACKPINK’s youngest member, has long been admired for her talent, charisma, and unshakeable work ethic. But a recent revelation by her former language teacher has given fans a new reason to be inspired. Speaking on the YouTube channel Idol Korean Teacher, YG Entertainment’s long-time Korean language instructor shared behind-the-scenes insights into Lisa's early trainee days and the steep challenges she overcame as a non-Korean artist entering the K-pop world.

Like many foreign trainees, Lisa had to navigate significant cultural and linguistic hurdles when she joined YG Entertainment. The agency’s Korean language teacher, who has been training artists since 2011, recalled her first impressions of Lisa and how quickly she stood out. “Incredibly, within six months, she reached an intermediate level [in Korean],” the teacher said. Lisa initially leaned on English to communicate with her fellow trainees, which was a comfort zone. To encourage faster learning, her teacher introduced a strict rule: no English, only Korean. The adjustment wasn’t easy. Lisa was reportedly “frustrated” at first, but she refused to back down from the challenge. “We held Korean classes four times a week, and Lisa truly committed to using only Korean in her daily life,” the teacher revealed.

Her commitment was nothing short of extraordinary. Lisa powered through four textbooks, four workbooks, and intensive vocabulary drills. She also completed large volumes of homework to speed up her progress. Her teacher, visibly moved, shared how Lisa’s drive left a lasting impression on everyone around her, from fellow trainees to instructors.

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All about Lisa

Lisa is a member of the globally renowned South Korean girl group BLACKPINK, which debuted under YG Entertainment in August 2016. In 2025, she expanded her artistic repertoire by making her acting debut in the HBO series The White Lotus. In September 2021, Lisa launched her solo career with the release of her debut single album Lalisa. The album made history, with over 736,000 copies sold in its first week in South Korea, the highest for any female solo artist at the time.

Over the years, Lisa has amassed numerous accolades, including nine Guinness World Records, a Gaon Chart Music Award, a Mnet Asian Music Award, three MTV Europe Music Awards, and two MTV Video Music Awards making her the first K-pop soloist to take home wins at both MTV ceremonies. She also holds the title of the most-followed K-pop artist on Instagram, solidifying her status as a global icon.


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