BLACKPINK’s Lisa is entering another major chapter of her solo career with her upcoming EP PRESS PLAY. During her first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the singer opened up about the project, her Thai roots and the career paths she once considered before becoming a K-pop star. Lisa also teased what fans can expect from the six-track EP, including the next single and the personal idea behind its title. PRESS PLAY is scheduled to arrive on October 23.
Lisa Explains The Meaning Behind PRESS PLAY
Speaking with Jimmy Fallon, Lisa described PRESS PLAY as a project that reflects her journey from her roots in Thailand to where she is today. She explained that Thai influences run throughout the EP, with every track designed to have its own identity and atmosphere.
Rather than viewing the six songs as completely separate pieces, Lisa compared the EP to a movie. Each track has its own character and vibe, but together they form one larger experience that listeners can enter simply by pressing play. The concept also connects the new release with Lisa’s growing interest in bringing more of her Thai background into her solo music.
SaWaDiKa Leads Lisa’s New Solo Era
PRESS PLAY follows Lisa’s debut solo album Alter Ego, released in 2025. The upcoming EP has already been introduced through “SaWaDiKa,” a track that draws from the Thai greeting “sawasdee ka”. Lisa revealed that the fourth track on PRESS PLAY will become the project’s next single.
She did not reveal its full title but teased that it begins with the letter “T”, leaving fans waiting for another piece of the tracklist. “SaWaDiKa” also continues the singer’s focus on her Thai identity, with its music video filmed in Bangkok. The song was released on September 4 as the first taste of the upcoming EP.
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What Lisa Wanted To Do Before K-Pop
Lisa also gave fans a glimpse into what her life might have looked like if her K-pop career had taken a different path. The singer revealed that she had considered becoming a dance teacher or working as a performer at Disneyland. Both possibilities were connected to her interest in dance and performance, areas that eventually became central to her career as a BLACKPINK member.
Her comments offer an interesting look at the period before global fame. Instead of having only one career plan, Lisa had considered multiple ways of turning her love for performing into a profession. Today, her career extends beyond music, with acting, documentary work and live performances becoming part of her growing portfolio.
Lisa Has A Busy Schedule Ahead
The PRESS PLAY rollout comes during an especially active period for Lisa. Her documentary Always Lalisa, directed by Sue Kim, recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film follows her journey through the creation of Alter Ego, her acting debut in The White Lotus and her preparations for her solo Coachella performance. It is scheduled to open in cinemas and IMAX on October 12.
Lisa is also preparing for VIVA LA LISA, her upcoming Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The four shows are scheduled for November 13, 14, 27 and 28. With PRESS PLAY arriving shortly after her documentary’s theatrical release, Lisa’s solo activities are continuing to expand across music, film and live performance.
Final Take
Lisa’s The Tonight Show appearance offered more than a preview of PRESS PLAY. Her comments revealed how closely the EP is connected to her Thai roots and personal journey, while her Disneyland and dance-teacher plans showed what she once imagined for herself before K-pop changed her path. With the EP arriving October 23, Lisa has another major solo chapter ahead.
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