BLACKPINK member Lisa recently appeared on the podcast 'Therapuss,' hosted by American presenter Jake Shane, to promote her solo mini-album, 'Press Play.' Beyond discussing her music, she also opened up about her views on relationships and shared a memorable past dating experience. Lisa recounted a time she was dining at her favorite sushi restaurant with her mother and a friend. Playfully, she called a man she was seeing and asked if he would cover the bill. To her surprise, his blunt reply left her stunned.
Lisa recalled on the show that she, her mother, and her friend were enjoying sushi at a restaurant she loved. Thinking of the man who was pursuing her at the time, she called him and jokingly asked, "Would you like to pay for us? Would you like to just cover the entire bill?" To her astonishment, he responded without hesitation, "Ha, no." His unexpected reply caught her completely off guard.
However, Lisa emphasized that she doesn't expect men to pay for every date, as she is financially independent and doesn't need them to cover all her expenses. But if a man is in the courting phase and wants to impress her, proactively paying the bill can be a thoughtful gesture that earns points. She had only intended it as a joke, expecting him to perhaps refuse initially but then secretly pay, surprising her. Instead, he genuinely didn't pay, and she ended up covering the meal for herself, her mother, and her friend. Lisa stated that for her, it's never about the money, but rather whether the other person is willing to show they value her through these small details.
This revelation quickly sparked discussion on social media, with many international netizens expressing disbelief that even Lisa had experienced such a dating situation. Some analyzed it from a Thai cultural perspective, noting that treating a girlfriend's family and friends is not just about money, but also about demonstrating generosity and sincerity. One comment read, "In Thailand, treating your girlfriend's guests to a meal is a sign of generosity and leaves a good impression. Lisa was actually giving him an opportunity to show that." Others felt that if the man had paid, he might have won over Lisa's mother, remarking, "Especially since her mother was there, for just once, wasn't he willing to make a good impression on his future mother-in-law?" Another netizen lamented, "I don't know whether to be relieved or disappointed, even Lisa experiences this kind of relationship struggle."
Beyond discussing dating etiquette, netizens also began to speculate about the identity of the man Lisa mentioned. Some fans pointed fingers at Frédéric Arnault, the third-generation scion of the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton group and a French billionaire, with whom Lisa has been romantically linked. The two have been photographed together multiple times since 2024, leading to widespread rumors that Arnault not only frequently took Lisa on trips but also accompanied her to various events, and even allegedly bought her concert tickets. Given that they were once spotted at the same sushi restaurant in France, some netizens suspect he might be the date Lisa referred to. However, there were also rumors of a breakup earlier this year, and neither party has confirmed any of the speculation.
Separately, others have speculated that the man could be Thai actor Blue Pongtiwat. In recent months, Lisa and Blue have been photographed together in various countries, sparking interest in their interactions. Blue has also met Lisa's family and friends, further fueling public curiosity about their relationship. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding whether the two are dating.
Beyond these two rumored partners, some fans have also pointed fingers at Lisa's past rumored ex-boyfriends, even connecting it to her dating life during her trainee days in Korea. One netizen commented, "I probably know who she's talking about. If it's really that person, then this makes perfect sense. At the time, the man's financial situation was better than Lisa's, and he was Korean, while Lisa was still a foreign trainee, and neither of them had debuted yet." Some even linked it to BLACKPINK's song "See U Later," speculating if the lyrics were related to this past experience.
Fans also mentioned that this man had previously written several love songs believed to be about Lisa, including one with lyrics implying a breakup and accusations. The song reportedly mentioned exchanging gifts, only for it to become a one-sided effort, with a self-deprecating tone. Netizens also noted that Lisa had not yet accumulated her current wealth and fame at that time, leading to further intense speculation about when this dating incident occurred and who the man was.
