BLACKPINK’s Lisa visits viral monkey Punch in Japan

Lisa × Artist bio Lisa Real name: Lalisa ManobalPosition: Main Dancer, Lead Rapper, Sub VocalistNationality: ThaiBirthday: 1997-03-27Birthplace: Buriram, Thailand Lisa is BLACKPINK's main dancer and lead rapper, famous for her sharp performance style and global popularity. Lisa is known for an energetic and playful personality, combining easygoing friendliness off stage with intense focus and precision when she performs. Tap again to view profile → Close from BLACKPINK × About group BLACKPINK BLACKPINK is one of the most influential K-pop girl groups in the world, known for their powerful performances, global chart success, and distinctive blend of pop, hip-hop, EDM, and rap. Formed by YG Entertainment, the group consists of Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. Since their debut in 2016, BLACKPINK has achieved numerous milestones, including record-breaking music videos, sold-out world tours, and collaborations with internationally recognized artists. With a dedicated global fanbase known as BLINK, BLACKPINK continues to shape the modern K-pop industry through their music, fashion influence, and worldwide cultural impact. The group has earned recognition for hit songs such as “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” “How You Like That,” “Pink Venom,” and “Shut Down,” while establishing themselves as one of the most successful and recognizable Korean music acts of all time! Tap again to view profile → Close . [https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/lisa@2000x1270.jpg]

BLACKPINK’s Lisa took a break from her busy schedule to go and visit viral monkey Punch in Japan.

* READ MORE: BLACKPINK live in Seoul: K-pop superstars bring power and playfulness as their massive ‘Born Pink’ world tour lifts off

The K-pop star and actor went to visit Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, just outside Tokyo, Japan over the weekend (Saturday March 7), and posted some photos where she spotted the monkey who has gone viral online lately.

The monkey is the baby macaque called Punch who found traction online after he was seen being bullied by others in his enclosure, and was subsequently offered a stuffed toy that he now carries everywhere.

When Lisa went to the zoo, she brought her own stuffed orange orangutan that matched the one owned by Punch, and was spotted holding it up for the baby macaque to see.

She also took to Instagram Stories to show her excitement at being there, posting a number of photos that saw her posing with the stuffed animal.

> LISA shares that she recently visited Punch, the viral lonely monkey. pic.twitter.com/t6mHDVxPxG
>
> — Pop Base (@PopBase) March 7, 2026

> 📸 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f4f8.png] Lisa shared photos from her visit to Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, where she went to see Punch, the viral monkey. 🥹 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f979.png] pic.twitter.com/rkQabS9rho
>
> — Alone (@aloneintroverts) March 7, 2026

The visit comes at a busy period for Lisa, who recently rejoined her BLACKPINK bandmates to share a long-awaited new EP called ‘DEADLINE’.

Described as a ‘Mini-album’, the release features the hit single from last summer ‘Jump’, as well as other songs called ‘Me And My’, ‘Go’, ‘Champion’, and ‘Fxxxboy’.

The release comes after the group reunited for a massive stadium tour last year, after she, Rosé × Artist bio Rosé Real name: Park Chae-youngPosition: Main Vocalist, Lead DancerNationality: Korean-New ZealanderBirthday: 1997-02-11Birthplace: Auckland, New Zealand Main vocalist of BLACKPINK known for her unique tone. Rose is often described as warm, introspective, and a little shy at first, with a quirky sense of humor and very emotional way of expressing herself through music. Tap again to view profile → Close , Jisoo × Artist bio Jisoo Real name: Kim Ji-sooPosition: Lead Vocalist, VisualNationality: KoreanBirthday: 1995-01-03Birthplace: Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea Jisoo is BLACKPINK's lead vocalist and visual, known for her elegant charm and warm vocal tone. Jisoo is known for a calm, witty 4D personality, mixing playful humor with a steady, caring older sister energy that helps keep the team grounded. Tap again to view profile → Close and Jennie × Artist bio Jennie Real name: Kim JenniePosition: Main Rapper, Lead VocalistNationality: KoreanBirthday: 1996-01-16Birthplace: Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea Jennie is BLACKPINK's main rapper and lead vocalist, known for her charismatic stage presence and luxury brand image. Jennie often appears chic and confident on stage but is more shy and soft spoken off stage, with a thoughtful personality and playful sense of humor. Tap again to view profile → Close each shared their own solo material in the years prior.

Lisa is also continuing her acting career, and is currently filming a new film called Tygo in South Korea, and rumoured to be a part of a new Netflix rom-com, inspired by Notting Hill.

She took on a big role in the third season of HBO hit series The White Lotus – joining the cast alongside Patrick Schwarzenegger, Walton Goggins, Aimee Lee Wood, Jason Isaacs and more.

The post BLACKPINK’s Lisa visits viral monkey Punch in Japan appeared first on NME.