"Welcome to The White Lotus Thailand, ka," Lisa says in the Season 3 trailer of the Emmy award-winning TV series created by Mike White. (It was just renewed for a fourth season, btw!) Announced in November 2024, her role as Mook, a hotel staff member, was teased in early glimpses. Now, it's finally here—Season 3's first ep premiered on Max on February 17, with Lisa officially billed under her real name, Lalisa Manobal.
READ MORE: Meet Mook, BLACKPINK Lisa's Character On The White Lotus
ICYDK, the critically acclaimed TV show is an anthology series that revolves around the fictional hotel—The White Lotus—and its troublesome guests who spend a week at the luxury resort. The first season was based in Maui, Hawaii, the second season was set in Sicily, Italy and for the third time around, they've taken the thrill and drama to the shores of Thailand—Lisa's home country. And just like all the other seasons before it, Season 3 starts out with a mysterious death, and you'll slowly unravel the truth (and make your guesses about what happened) as you go through each episode.
Since we can never get enough of Lisa, we were all ears when her co-stars shared their experience working with her on set. Her co-stars Lek Patravadi, Parker Posey, and Dom Hetrakul had plenty to say about their time with her.
Editor's note: Some v light spoilers ahead!
Who is Lisa's character on The White Lotus Season 3?
Lisa plays a character named Mook, a hotel service staff member who gets assigned to a couple who you just know have deep-seated issues. But Mook might just have her own romance herself—with a hotel guard named Gaitok played by Tayme Thapthimthong.
What was Lisa like on set while filming The White Lotus Season 3?
Cosmopolitan Philippines got to join in on the fun at The White Lotus Season 3's premiere in Bangkok from February 14 to 15. After seeing the cast walk down the green carpet rolled along the ICONSIAM mall, we also got to watch the first episode and interview the cast themselves! And ofc, we wouldn't be doing our duty to the BLINKS if we didn't give you the inside scoop on how Lisa was like on set. We literally took notes about what her co-stars said about working with the K-pop idol.
Among the stars of the show is renowned Thai actress Lek Patravadi, who plays Sritala Hollinger, one of the owners of The White Lotus in Thailand and the pioneer of its health program. Given her veteran status in the Thai entertainment industry, Lek was asked how Lisa differs in real life versus when she's acting—and she had nothing but praise for the young star.
"I think she's very clever. She's a very clever girl and she is nice," Lek starts. She then recalled an instance when Lisa asked her for advice. "I met her and she's a big star—even though I was a big star when I was young, but I have to be humble," Lek laughs.
Lek went on to describe the moment Lisa approached her. "She came talking to me, and she kneeled on the floor, and put her hands here," she gestures to her lap, "and [she] says, 'Teacher, teacher, what should I perform?'" The sight of the global superstar acting like a little girl amused her.
"And I thought: Oh, this is very polite for a very famous star, you know, acting like a little Thai girl talking to an adult," she muses, adding that Lisa has very good manners. She also shared that they had many conversations while working together.
"I find her strange from what we expect her to be," Lek adds. It seems Lisa surprised her in a good way—defying the usual expectations of a global superstar. She then recalled another amusing exchange. During one conversation, Lek was talking to Lisa about her home in Los Angeles and mentioned that she should have an orange tree there.
Lisa responded, "Oh, is it expensive? How much is it?" Lek couldn't help but laugh. "I think you can afford an orange tree," she told the global superstar, who also happens to be the face of luxury brands.
"You expect these big stars to be extravagant and this and that. She is a humble, little Thai girl who's always polite," Lek reiterates. "So, to me, maybe that's why she gets to be such a big thing. Because she has the international kind of flair, but she also carries the well-brought-up Thai culture with her. She has the best of both worlds."
Lek reflected on how Lisa made her appreciate the importance of balancing one's roots with a global perspective. "So, I highly recommend to all young people—wherever you go, you should carry both your culture and the international culture. That's very important."
Parker Posey, who plays Victoria Ratliff, the matriarch of a guest family at the hotel, shared a moment that stood out to her while they were filming. Parker reveals she's never been to Asia before filming the show—which is why she was all the more mesmerized by one of Lisa's scenes.
"One of my favorite days on set was when Lisa...Lisa was dressed in traditional Thai dance costume. And they looked like a painting come to life," she shares. "I was really struck by that beauty."
Thai actor Dom Hetrakul, who plays Pornchai, a masseuse at the hotel, also mentioned that having Lisa onboard—"young blood and world fame"—adds to the ways he can learn from the show.
Where can you watch Lisa on The White Lotus Season 3?
You can stream The White Lotus Season 3 (as well as the first two seasons!) on Max. One episode (out of a total of seven) will be released every week, starting February 17.
Max's rates in the Philippines start at P149 per month and P1,040 for 12 months. You can download Max on the App Store for iOS users and on the Google Play Store for Android users. The White Lotus can also be watched on HBO via Cignal, Smart, and PLDT Home.
