Lisa From Blackpink on Acting in ‘The White Lotus’ and Looking Out on an “Ocean” of K-Pop Fans

Vanity Fair: The White Lotus is your first acting role. How did you prepare? Did you take any acting lessons?

Lisa: I did take lessons a few times, but my schedule isn’t very versatile, so I stopped at some point. On set, everyone was so professional. They understood that it was my first time acting, so they tried to assist me and give me advice, like “Oh, you shouldn’t stress. You’re going to be fine.”

Did you introduce your castmates to your favorite things about Thailand?

I didn’t give them any advice, because they actually introduced me to some places! They’re like, “Oh, I went there yesterday, and it’s really good, you should go.” It was kind of odd, but it was humorous. I’m just content that they enjoyed Thailand, you know, enjoyed Thai food, enjoyed the culture, and enjoyed the weather because it’s very heated there. The crew and the rest of the team started to speak Thai a bit, and it just impressed me so much.

My mom came to stay a few times, and I could have Thai food as much as I wanted. It was so nice, and I have never spent that much time in Thailand after I left. I felt like I was home, and I got a lot of energy from that trip as well.

You grew up speaking Thai, but how did you learn Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese?

I mean, I don’t know that I have gotten so good! I don’t think I have the talent for languages, but in Korea, I had to live, so I had to learn. I had to survive, I guess. It was just common sense, like to get what I want, I had to learn and try to speak with local people, and I was spending more and more time on that.

And I watch a lot of K-dramas. Right now, I’m watching one on Netflix called Love Next Door. I just love the combination of the guy character and the girl character—they start as friends! Like, they are friends for 30 years. Those things feel so real. [K-dramas are] nothing too sedate, so when I need to try to composed myself down, I watch them, and it really helps.