BLACKPINK wasn’t responsible for my descent into the world of K-pop.
While they can certainly be credited with locking me into the current generations of the popular musical genre, there’s 3 other groups I owe my love of it too. And the one friend who recommended the group which really got me across the line.
Girl’s Generation.
BIG BANG.
Orange Caramel, thanks to my friend Rhi.
The first two groups are highly notable, often credited with the first major successes in branching out into the Western market. That third group though. I don’t think they’re obscure, because if you’re into K-pop, the likes of Catallena and Shanghai Romance are no doubt familiar. But for me? It was Lipstick:
Oh yeah. That’s the energy of the late second generation of K-pop meeting the third generation I love. Which is when it went GLOBAL. You may know of a group called BTS. Running parallel to them during this takeover, was BLACKPINK. Also a song by them. A pun if you will.
Now, BLACKPINK member and soloist, “LISA brings her unmistakable style to PlayStation in a new controller and merchandise, available for pre-order on October 2”. This is no real surprise considering their team-up last year.
But this time, they’re “taking [the] collaboration a step further with an all-new DualSense wireless controller – LISA Limited Edition and a new merchandise collection designed with Lisa herself.”
Gaming is something I do whenever I have time to relax, so getting to create this collection with PlayStation was very exciting. I had a lot of fun adding in little details that I knew my fans would notice, and I wanted the fans to have something they can connect with. I’ve always loved expressing myself through music and fashion, so this collaboration gave me a new way to be creative and show a different side of myself. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do.”
LISA
“Fans won’t have to look far to find Lisa in the details. From the very start, we worked closely together to incorporate elements that held personal meaning for her. Her iconic bangs and eyes take center stage on the DualSense wireless controller touch pad, joined by her signature stars and bold “LL” lettering, all set against a Chroma Pearl colorway – Lisa’s personal favorite”
The DualSense wireless controller – LISA Limited Edition will be available to pre-order in New Zealand from 10am NZT on 2 October, ahead of its launch from 30 October, priced at NZD $149.95.
There will also be “a collection of PlayStation merchandise featuring Lisa’s designs, including apparel, hats, tote bags, keychains, stickers, a DualSense controller carrying case, and more” in limited qualities in the U.S. But considering how global the world now is, a sensibility shared by K-pop, I know if you have a will, you’ll find a way. “Additional items will launch on October 23 on Lisa’s official Amazon store at amazon.com/lisa and in the Amazon Music app.”
If you want to support your BLACKPINK bias.
While showing your love of video games. There’s never been a better time. I mean, there’s a reason why PlayStation opened a flagship store in one of Korea’s most popular malls, right?
If you want to “LALISA LOVE ME”, then get ready for the LISA Limited Edition DualSense controller from October 30th, 2026.
