Inside White Lotus season 3 star's life from K-pop fame to rumoured boyfriend

The third season of The White Lotus premiered on HBO on February 16, bringing more intrigue to the comedy-drama series. This time, viewers are whisked away to a new setting - the lush tropical paradise of Ko Samui, Thailand.

The focus of season three is a murder that occurs after a new group of guests check into the Thai branch of the renowned hotel resort. This year's cast is brimming with stars, including Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb, Walton Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Aimee Lou Wood, among others.

One cast member who might pique the interest of anthology series fans is actress Lalisa Manobal, who portrays Thidapon 'Mook' Sornsin. Thai star Lalisa Manobal, also known by her stage name Lisa, is a rapper, singer, dancer and now actress.

Born Pranpriya Manobal, the 27 year old is best recognised as a member of K-pop girl band and global music sensation Blackpink, which first exploded onto the scene nearly a decade ago. She released her debut single album Lalisa in 2021, followed by her studio album Alter Ego this year, reports the Mirror US.

The White Lotus season three marks her acting debut, although she has appeared in numerous music videos. Manobal was born in Buriram Province, Thailand and raised by her Thai mother Chitthip Brüschweiler and Swiss stepfather and chef Marco Brüschweiler.

She began her journey into the world of dance at the tender age of four, regularly participating in competitions before securing a spot in the dance group We Zaa Cool. At just 13 years old, Manobal auditioned for the South Korean record label YG Entertainment in Thailand, beating thousands to earn a trainee position.

In 2011, she made the bold move to South Korea to start training for her entry into the entertainment industry, becoming the first non-Korean trainee at the record label to do so. After dabbling in modelling and featuring on the South Korean reality series Real Man 300, she joined Blackpink in 2016, with the foursome now hailed as the biggest girl group globally.

Away from the limelight, Manobal is rumoured to be dating French businessman and former CEO of Tag Heuer, Frédéric Arnault. The 29 year old entrepreneur was allegedly spotted with the K-pop sensation in a photo shared on social media platform X, which appeared to show them dining with the cast and crew of The White Lotus.

While neither Manobal nor Arnault have officially confirmed their relationship, fans are already rooting for the pair.

The White Lotus season 3 airs on HBO on Sundays in the USA and Sky and streaming platform NOW on Mondays in the UK