LISA of BLACKPINK released her new single “SaWaDiKa” on September 4, 2026, ahead of a new mini album.

“SaWaDiKa” is a hip-hop track named after the Thai greeting for “hello,” “sawasdee ka,” inspired by LISA’s Thai roots. It centers around her rap and holds a bragging, boisterous tone as lyrics boast of her fame and fortune. Its accompanying music video was directed by Bang Jaeyeob, a recognised name in the industry for work with artists such as Stray Kids, aespa, IVE, CORTIS and ZEROBASEONE, and filmed in LISA’s hometown of Bangkok. The song currently sits at number one on Korean music streaming platform MelOn.

In the midst of the roll-out, news website Sports Kyunghyang has published an article stating that the song will act as a pre-release for LISA’s new EP, titled PRESS PLAY. On August 24, LISA’s company LLOUD announced that the EP will be released on October 23, 2026, though did not officially suggest that “SaWaDiKa” is included on the tracklist.

PRESS PLAY will be LISA’s first mini album as a soloist, following the release of the studio album Alter Ego in February 2025. With 15 songs total, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Album Sales chart and later surpassed one billion streams on Spotify – the biggest album streaming debut for any female K-pop artist.

“SaWaDiKa” marks her first solo release since that achievement. Throughout the remainder of 2025 and 2026 so far, she has featured on singles from Maroon 5, Anyma, and on the FIFA World Cup 2026 soundtrack, but has not released any solo music. A new album is highly anticipated, and would draw attention following the success of Alter Ego – as has already been proven by the chart-topping streaming debut of “SaWaDiKa.” 

The timing makes sense. In the coming months, LISA already has several activities scheduled that will now act as promotion for the album. Between September 10 and 20 her documentary film Always Lalisa will be seen for the first time at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, and then opens in theatres worldwide for fan-viewing on October 12. On November 13 and 14 and again on November 27 and 28, LISA’s ‘VIVA LA LISA’ will be held at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas; the event marks the first solo residency at the venue by a K-pop artist and tickets sold out within ten minutes.

LISA is the third of the four BLACKPINK members to make a full return to solo music following the conclusion of the group’s tour and 10th anniversary celebrations. JENNIE released the single “Less than a Lover” on July 24 and the EP Fallen Angel on August 28, while JISOO released “CLICK” on September 4. The concurrent nature of these releases marks a new chapter for the members, as they move away from BLACKPINK once more and compete on the charts.

More information and teasers for LISA’s PRESS PLAY are expected soon.