BLACKPINK Lisa
BLACKPINK Lisa goes in line with other French models in Celine's Winter 2022 runway show. (Photo: Condé Nast (through Vogue Taiwan), CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped )

Following the recent love rumors around Son Heung-min and Jisoo, V and Jennie, and Kang Dong-won and Rosé, the latest idol on the dating rumor roller coaster is Lisa of BLACKPINK. With a YG contract renewal looming, Lisa has been caught up in dating rumors with Frederic Arnault, CEO of luxury watch brand TAG Heuer. Despite their evidently cozy dates, the agency remains mum, leaving the fans in a state of distress amidst the chaos of contract negotiations.

The rumor of Lisa's romantic involvement began initially with an Indonesian media outlet. Multiple outlets reported, "Lisa was spotted having a good time with Frederic Arnault in a restaurant in Paris, France, appearing relaxed without makeup." In the footage, Lisa is seen conversing and smiling with Frederic Arnault.

Frederic Arnault, entangled in the rumors with Lisa, is the fourth son of Bernard Arnault, the head of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), the world's largest luxury brand group and the second wealthiest person globally, according to Forbes. He is currently serving as the CEO of TAG Heuer.

 

Previously, Frederic Arnault has been known to be an avid fan of BLACKPINK, even attending their LA concert. He had posted, "A wonderful evening at the BLACKPINK concert in LA. Congratulations, and see you soon in Paris." This public interaction further fueled their dating rumors.

Lisa is currently residing in Paris for BLACKPINK's world tour concert scheduled for the 15th. There may be more sightings of Lisa's dates. If Lisa and Frederic Arnault's daily routines coincide, it's difficult to dismiss these happenings as mere coincidence.

Despite the numerous circumstances and evidence pointing to the couple's romance, the agency remains silent. While rumors are just rumors, the confirmation of dating is a different matter. Dating is always a sensitive topic for a successful idol.

The silence from YG could be due to BLACKPINK's contract renewal, but there's another compelling reason: BLACKPINK's significant fanbase is spread across Southeast Asian countries. "The US is not sensitive to dating rumors, and South Korea is relatively tolerant, but it's different for countries like Thailand and Indonesia in Southeast Asia," an industry insider explained, "The dating rumors could directly hit the popularity in this environment."

Lisa, a Thai member, boasts immense popularity in her native Thailand and neighboring Southeast Asian countries. She has the highest status within BLACKPINK.

However, if Lisa's dating rumors continue, the artist's image could be gradually chipped away. The agency's non-response could be seen as irresponsible. Artists are left unprotected, and fans' feelings are left in confusion. The time for a response, positive or negative, seems to be drawing near.