BANGKOK (VnExpress): Blackpink’s Lisa has drawn online criticism after reportedly returning to Thailand soon after the group’s Aug. 8 10th-anniversary celebration, where she was later spotted shopping with rumoured boyfriend Blue Pongtiwat.
Photos and videos circulating on Weibo showed the pair together at a shopping mall in Thailand. While Pongtiwat appeared to be talking on the phone with his hands in his pockets, Lisa was seen browsing and trying on several colorful beanies.
Lisa and Pongtiwat had been close friends for years before their relationship allegedly turned romantic earlier this year, Thai newspaper Thairath reported.
Lisa had traveled to South Korea to join Blackpink's 10th-anniversary celebration on Aug. 8 but returned to Thailand soon after the event, according to Sinchew.
The anniversary gathering itself was reportedly affected by communication problems among the members. During a short livestream for fans, Jisoo acknowledged the difficulties and apologised, saying the group understood the importance of the milestone but had encountered "some small communication issues."
Lisa's quick departure and relatively brief participation soon became a point of contention among some fans.
Social media reactions cited by Sina accused the singer of putting her personal life ahead of her commitments to the group and its supporters. Some also described her demeanor during the anniversary livestream as distracted and less enthusiastic than expected.
Lisa did not directly respond to the criticism. Instead, she later posted several cheerful photos with her Blackpink bandmates on social media.
Born Lalisa Manobal in Thailand, Lisa is Blackpink's only non-Korean member and has built one of the largest social media followings among K-pop stars. Guinness World Records listings show that she has around 106 million Instagram followers and 23.7 million followers on TikTok.
Lisa has devoted much of 2026 to her solo career, making a guest appearance at the Met Gala, attending international fashion events and taking part in individual promotional campaigns. She has also announced her "Viva La Lisa" show series in Las Vegas for later this year.
The singer was previously linked to Frédéric Arnault, son of LVMH chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, for about two years. The pair recently separated, noting that Arnault had unfollowed Lisa and stopped interacting with her social media posts, HK01 reported. Neither Lisa nor Arnault has publicly confirmed their relationship or breakup. -- VnExpress
