The Amount BLACKPINK's Lisa Paid To Thai Store Owners For "Rockstar" MV Divides The Internet

BLACKPINK‘s Lisa finally made her solo comeback with “Rockstar.”

She created a buzz as soon as the teaser dropped, revealing that she filmed most of the scenes in Yaowarat Road. Also known as Bangkok’s Chinatown, it is a busy area famous with local and tourists alike for its abundance of good food, its stunning neon lit roads, and more.

Lisa reportedly paid 20,000 THB (around $545 USD) to each shop owner in Yaowarat Road in Thailand so they could close early for the music video shoot. Though it wasn’t specified exactly how many were contacted, it was presumably a large number due to how close the stores are to each other in a single street.

According to a local netizen, even their relative’s store that is not seen directly in the video was given the same amount.

OP's relative's shop isn't at the main road; also, get paid 20,000 baht too. 💸 #LISA pic.twitter.com/GurQWmWcjp

— ᴛᴀᴛᴀ🐣ʟʟᴏᴜᴅ💋 (@LiLi327TWEET) June 26, 2024

Netizens had mixed reactions to this news. On one hand, several thought that the amount that she paid them was “not enough” considering her millionaire status.

that’s not enough money! she’s so greedy

— tonio (@bincoz) June 27, 2024

that’s only $500 USD lmao

— Swiftie Asylum (@13SwiftieAsylum) June 26, 2024

They questioned why she couldn’t give more.

Why just $540 ?

She can easily give $1000

— Arman (@Arman_Officialx) June 27, 2024

Others, however, defended Lisa from netizens who found the pay too low, reminding them that she gave what is worth a large amount of money in the Southeast Asian country.

People said that isn’t enough money.

$540=~20000Bahts is more than enough.The basic salary is just around 350bahts per person for one day.

— Hazzel (@Hazzel89104737) June 27, 2024

Everybody in Thailand loves her and even if she doesn’t pay them, they will still let her film.And to who compare Thai bath to usd , 20k bath is already a lot for some people who are trying hard to make money because in Thailand, you can see shop everywhere and hard to do money.

— 𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐊-𝐙𝐘(𝐈𝐓𝐙𝐘)𝐁𝐚𝐞 (@PinkZyBae) June 26, 2024

They pointed out that $500 US may seem small but the standard of living in Thailand is lower than in the United States.

americans in the replies are actually giving me a headache, it might only seem like $500 to you but they have lower wages in thailand meaning everything else is cheaper meaning people make less money meaning lisa just paid them practically a monthly salary 🤦🏽‍♀️ https://t.co/AooKELKGf4

— T£RR¥ M@R¥ (@indiandoIl) June 26, 2024

actual SEA people praising her because its a huge deal of money for us americans should really stop inserting themselves into other culture's narrative you all have a severe savior complex and your stupidity is showing https://t.co/nvTR814uAf

— MAN 🍉🌈 (@twentieslove) June 27, 2024

The payout is pretty good quite big for a third-world country. Americans have to understand in the context of Thailand, it's a substantial amount that can significantly benefit not mention community goodwill, too. Another good thing is it could boost sales for local businesses. https://t.co/VZHoC7BwfU

— I sell illustrations and paintings! 💛 (@ANZIMATTA) June 27, 2024

Moreover, they praised her for giving back to her country.

She gave back to her home country. I’m in love with this girl.

— joey (@Fan_FlickOn) June 26, 2024

As of January, the minimum wage in Thailand is 363 THB (around $10 USD) per day or 10,890 THB ($300 USD) per month. Lisa gave the Yaowarat Road shop owners double in a few hours what many Thai workers would receive in a month.