'We were not allowed to license the music or the footage': 'Always Lalisa' director says YG blocked BLACKPINK clips and songs from Lisa's documentary, out Monday

The documentary 'Always Lalisa,' which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and opens to the public on Monday (Oct. 12), will feature almost no BLACKPINK. Director Sue Kim said in an interview that she wanted to highlight the start of Lisa's career in the group, but YG Entertainment did not allow the licensing of the quartet's music or footage. 'Despite our best efforts, we were not allowed to license the music or the footage, so that was it,' she said.

According to Kim, the film is about 'someone who had achieved a great amount of success in a K-pop girl group' — which makes the absence all the more noticeable. The remark went viral on Saturday (Oct. 10) and set off a wave of criticism of the agency online. Fans pointed out that Lisa's individual contract with YG has already ended and accused the company of withholding the material out of spite; others urged people to stop defending the agency.

As of publication, YG had not commented; the account that the material was 'blocked' comes solely from the director. A day earlier, the documentary had already drawn attention for revealing hidden relationships and the monthly evaluations Lisa underwent from age 14 as a trainee.