LISA releases ‘PRESS PLAY’ on Oct.23

Hello “SaWaDiKa,” is the long-awaited release by Lisa of her album, “PRESS PLAY,” with the tracklist being:

1. SaWaDiKa
2. V12
3. Cobra 
4. Tarantino 
5. Cut U Off
6. Sweat

In August 2026, “Hello สวัสดีค่ะ” appeared on the billboards of major cities like Bangkok, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and many more. At the bottom middle of the billboard, it said “HELLOSAWADIKA.COM,” and behind those words, the screen was a dark red background. If you were to see that billboard and Google the website at the bottom, it would take you to a countdown for her song “SaWaDiKa.” 

She released SaWaDiKa on Sept. 3, 2026, and ever since its release, it’s been trending on social media, reaching 3,913,030 streams on its first day, and at the moment it has surpassed 96 million streams. From the 8th grade, Suefia Tabei said, “I would rate the album a solid 8.5/10. It was very on-brand for Lisa but not too similar to her other songs.”

“SaWaDiKa” is a polite way to say ‘Hello’ in Thailand, and can also mean “goodbye”; the word itself is just “Sa-wad-dee.” You can say that in informal settings, but in polite or formal settings, you add a particle at the end. If you are a woman, say “Sawasdee-ka,” but if you are a man, say “Sawasdee-krub” (often pronounced “kap”). It is usually accompanied by a traditional gesture called the wai; this is when you press your palms together in a prayer-sort-of motion, then you bow slightly with your head. Overall, the song itself is a confident, boastful anthem that celebrates her Thai heritage. 

In Lisa’s interview on the Jimmy Fallon show, she said “Press Play” is about “my journey from my roots to where I am right now today.” She incorporated elements of her heritage in the music. “I just want everyone to know I’m Thai,” she said in an interview with Rolling Stone in 2022.

Lisa first started her career in the popular K-pop group BLACKPINK. They debuted on Aug. 8, 2016, and have been popular ever since. Senior Vin Shella Welter said, “Lisa is my bias. I like her dancing and rapping skills.” 

Lisa is well known for her dancing ability; she is often referred to as a “dancing machine” for her ability to learn choreography exceptionally well and quickly, but she’s had many years of practice, considering she started dancing at the age of 4 or 5, when her mother enrolled her in dancing classes in Thailand.