BLACKPINK Lisa
BLACKPINK Lisa teases upcoming solo debut will happen soon. (Photo: NewsInstar, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped)

"Negative influence on teenage fans" vs "A challenge even fellow members acknowledge as transcending idol boundaries"

BLACKPINK's Lisa is confidently preparing for her second day of performance amidst the controversy surrounding her participation in an adult-rated show.

On September 29, Lisa shared on her story, "READY FOR DAY2?" (Are you ready for the second performance?), expressing her excitement and anticipation for the upcoming show.

Lisa is currently performing at the "Crazy Horse", one of the top three cabarets in Paris. She is scheduled to perform a total of five times over three days, starting from September 28. The fact that a K-pop idol star, whose primary fan base includes minors, is participating in a cabaret show known for its high level of exposure has garnered significant negative sentiment domestically. However, Lisa seems unfazed by the criticism.

The "Crazy Horse" show is known for its explicit content, including full-frontal nudity, and has often been caught in debates over art versus obscenity in France. According to local attendees, while Lisa did not go topless in her first performance, she transitioned from a formal office look to a bikini in a striptease. Photos shared by Lisa herself show that while she did not expose her top, her bottom attire was as revealing as other dancers. BLACKPINK members Jisoo and Rosé were reported to have attended and supported Lisa's first performance.

Lisa shared a photo of a bouquet of flowers she received from Rosé and Jisoo, writing, "Thank you for supporting my first show. Love you!" She also shared a photo with famous Spanish singer Rosalía, which included Lisa, Rosé, Jisoo, and Rosalía.

Lisa's unique move has fans torn between concern and anticipation.

Fans critical of Lisa's cabaret performance highlight that she is the most globally influential member of BLACKPINK. With over 100 million Instagram followers, primarily based in her home country of Thailand, she leads the group in this metric. The mere fact that she introduced the 'Crazy Horse' show to her vast young global fan base has led to disappointment. Some netizens, criticizing Lisa's voluntary striptease, have even brought up her nationality, leading to racial and nationalistic criticisms.

However, others argue that adding a sexy image to Lisa's idol persona could exponentially attract an older fan base. The fact that BLACKPINK members Jisoo and Rosé supported her in person suggests they view Lisa's challenge positively.

 

The "Crazy Horse" show has collaborated with numerous stars and artists over the years. Choreographed by renowned French choreographer Philippe Decouflé, it has featured special appearances by models like Pamela Anderson and Kelly Brook. It has also collaborated with famous singers like Kylie Minogue, Christina Aguilera, and Beyoncé for music videos. In Korea, a 2015 performance failed to attract audiences due to its explicit nature and high ticket prices.

Lisa's participation in "Crazy Horse" came as a shock, as it was entirely her decision. A representative from "Crazy Horse" revealed, "Lisa has been a fan of 'Crazy Horse' for a long time. She visited multiple times to watch the show and even met the performers backstage." Lisa will continue with the remaining four performances as scheduled.

Meanwhile, speculation suggests that Lisa's bold move might just be the beginning. On September 24th, she drew attention by departing for Paris from Incheon Airport without any YG Entertainment staff. Upon arrival, she moved around with only a few local security personnel. Lisa, whose exclusive contract with YG expired last month, is currently at the center of rumors regarding non-renewal. YG has also been evasive, stating they are "currently in contract renewal discussions."