Lisa’s “ROCKSTAR” Ignites Debate: Korean Netizens Criticize While Global Fans Celebrate
As entertainment correspondent with a global perspective, particularly on the captivating Lisa Lalisa Manoban, let me break down the drama unfolding around her latest solo release, “ROCKSTAR.”
While the world celebrates, a wave of negativity, seemingly rooted in South Korea, has emerged, questioning Lisa’s success and igniting a fierce debate about support, nationality, and the global reach of K-Pop.
Lisa dropped “ROCKSTAR” on June 28th, instantly smashing records. The music video amassed an astounding 32.4 million views in its first 24 hours, surpassing even Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight” (19.5 million views). Fans and critics alike lauded Lisa’s evolution as an artist, her rapping prowess, and the overall powerful message of “ROCKSTAR,” solidifying her transition from K-Pop idol to global “Pop Star.”
However, a segment of Korean netizens and media outlets seem determined to downplay her achievements. Some criticize the lack of Korean lyrics in a song they deem K-Pop. Others argue that Lisa’s popularity is confined to Thailand, pointing to the song’s dominance on Thai iTunes and YouTube charts. They cite lower rankings in South Korea and other Asian countries as proof that her success is driven by Thai fans “artificially inflating” streaming numbers.
These claims, however, are quickly unraveling. “ROCKSTAR” has already soared to #1 in Malaysia and Singapore, with its global rankings steadily climbing.
The criticism doesn’t stop there. Some Korean netizens have targeted Lisa’s new agency, LLOUD, for what they perceive as unprofessionalism during the countdown livestream, especially compared to her time with YG Entertainment.
Sparking outrage among some who perceived it as a snub to Blinks, Blackpink’s fandom. This ignited a wave of explanations from international fans, clarifying that within the fandom, a Blink supporting Lisa’s solo endeavors is a Lily and vice versa.
This relentless negativity towards Lisa’s success has sparked outrage among fans worldwide, particularly Thai and Southeast Asian fans, who accuse Korean netizens of xenophobia and hypocrisy. They argue that K-Pop owes a significant portion of its global success and revenue to the very fanbase being criticized.
Amidst the drama, some Korean fans have called for a truce, highlighting the natural tendency for any fandom to primarily support their fellow countrymen. They point to the significant difference in solo Spotify streams between Lisa and fellow Blackpink member Jisoo as an example, urging against misconstruing support as prejudice.
But one thing is certain: Lisa is determined to silence her critics with her work, having declared that “this is just the beginning.” It seems the world is about to witness even more record-breaking achievements from this rising star.