BLACKPINK’s Lisa accused of cultural appropriation for tanning her skin

Recently, BLACKPINK’s Lisa released concept photos for her upcoming solo single, ROCKSTAR. This upcoming release marks a new chapter for her with her own label, LLOUD. Lisa promises to once again make waves in the music industry as a soloist. With just two concept photos, Lisa has shown a complete transformation from her usual Kpop idol image. The idol sports a wolf cut hairstyle, a tough and edgy look, and notably, tanned skin. These photos have excited fans but also sparked controversy.

Lisa has spent over seven years adhering to the typical Kpop visual style. This dramatic change has left people shocked. It’s clear that in this new chapter of her solo career, Lisa is aiming for a bolder image. The styling for ROCKSTAR seems inspired by iconic stars, particularly Rihanna.

However, the act of tanning her skin has offended some people, who accuse Lisa of “blackfishing” (Blackfishing refers to altering one’s appearance to look like a person of color, such as tanning the skin, using makeup, hairstyling, or even plastic surgery. This is often done for aesthetic or commercial purposes).

Lisa “tanned” herself to look like a person of color to promote her music. As an Asian, this has led to accusations of appropriating Black culture. Some even say she is “denying her Asian roots” and “not wanting to be herself.” This matter is currently viral on Twitter and TikTok, with many conflicting opinions.

This isn’t the first time Lisa has faced accusations of “cultural appropriation.” Previously, during the promotion of “Money,” Lisa’s braided hairstyle sparked similar controversy. The hairstyle, characteristic of Black culture, was worn by the idol in line with the song’s concept, drawing criticism from international fans.

Facing these negative opinions, fans are defending Lisa. They argue that many people are overly sensitive to Lisa’s switch to a tanned look. Moreover, the concept photos do not reveal much about the actual music. Lisa’s intended message is still unclear, making criticisms at this point unfair and premature. Lisa’s ROCKSTAR music video will officially be released on June 28.

Source: k14