HBO, long revered for powerhouse dramas like Game of Thrones
, Succession,
and Euphoria,
struck a darker, slyer chord with The White Lotus.
The series swaps swords for side-eyes and dynasties for decadence, unspooling privilege with razor-sharp satire and sun-drenched scandal. Behind its shimmering façade lies careful curation—especially in sound. With every scene demanding sonic precision, fans expected chart-toppers, and with the BLACKPINK sensation Lisa playing Mook in the show, the expectation to have her hits in Season 3 was all-time high, but they still went missing.
Despite hits like ‘Rockstar’ and ‘Chill,’ Lisa’s music was notably absent from The White Lotus
for an intriguing reason.
No room for Lisa music in The White Lotus
Despite having global pop sensation Lalisa Manobal, famously known as Lisa from BLACKPINK, in the Season 3 cast of The White Lotus
, her music was noticeably absent from the soundtrack. Music supervisor Gabe Hilfer explained that including her real-life tracks while she portrayed the fictional character Mook would have felt “too self-aware or meta,”
according to The Hollywood Reporter
. Since she was not playing herself, the decision was made to maintain the show’s immersive tone without blending fiction and reality.
#BLACKPINK‘s Lisa will make her acting debut in ‘The White Lotus’ season 3.
She becomes the second #BLACKPINK member to be cast in an HBO series. pic.twitter.com/RNn6wONmFn
— Spin or Bin Music (@spinorbinmusic) February 13, 2024
Gabe Hilfer thought back on the spike in fan responses to things like the opening scene of the show. He clarified that when a series has enormous popularity, it always attracts more attention and strong feelings. Hilfer interpreted the criticism as a compliment rather than a negative. According to him, the intense responses demonstrated how much attention is being paid and how emotionally invested and involved viewers are in the universe of The White Lotus
. Despite not having her music featured, Lisa’s performance still captivated audiences, adding to the show’s undeniable impact.
Lisa’s portrayal of Mook in The White Lotus
has garnered immense recognition for her captivating and standout performance.
Music unplayed but Lisa’s Mook came, saw and devoured
BLACKPINK’s Lisa is receiving widespread recognition for her acting debut as Mook in The White Lotus
Season 3. Playing an employee at the Thailand-based White Lotus Hotel, Lisa has impressed both fans and creator Mike White with her performance. In addition, Carrie Coon’s emotionally intense monologue has become a standout moment
of the season, further driving the show’s success. The combination of these performances is drawing significant attention, contributing to the series’ continued acclaim.
Although it was LISA’s first acting role, she made a brilliant debut as an actress in “The White Lotus.”
The role of “MOOK” will surely be a treasured one for LISA.
We love LISA’s acting.
I’m really glad that MOOK was LISA.#LISAxTheWhiteLotus #LISA @wearelloud pic.twitter.com/8KIPDBXLB1— MAney 🤘🏻💸💛A L T E R E G O02.28.2025🇯🇵 (@La_BP0327) April 7, 2025
In a conversation with Variety, Lisa shared that her character Mook in The White Lotus
is similar to her personality but with a more flirtatious and ladylike twist, unlike her tomboyish nature. She revealed feeling immense nerves on her first day of shooting, even forgetting her lines at one point. Despite her musical absence from the soundtrack, Lisa’s authentic and impressive acting has captivated audiences, proving her versatility beyond music and earning her critical acclaim.
Read More: ‘The White Lotus’ Star Jennifer Coolidge Reveals Why She’s “very sad” With Creator Mike White
What are your thoughts on Lisa’s musical absence in The White Lotus
? Share your opinions in the comments below!
