27-6-2024 (BANGKOK) Bangkok’s iconic Yaowarat Road, renowned for its bustling street food scene and lively Chinatown atmosphere, recently found itself at the center of a different kind of excitement. Thai K-pop idol and Blackpink member Lisa turned the vibrant street into her personal filming location for her highly anticipated new music video, “Rockstar.”
Set to be released on Friday (June 28) at 8 am Singapore time, the “Rockstar” music video promises to showcase Lisa’s captivating presence against the backdrop of some of Bangkok’s most recognizable spots. On Wednesday (June 26), Lisa’s management company, LLOUD, released a tantalizing 10-second teaser, giving fans a glimpse of the various locations featured in the video.
In addition to the famous Yaowarat Road, eagle-eyed fans managed to identify other iconic locations, including the abandoned New World shopping mall, which the Phra Nakhon District Office reportedly plans to transform into a tourist attraction.
While Yaowarat Road is known for its constant hustle and bustle, Lisa and her team managed to achieve the seemingly impossible – shutting down the entire street completely for their filming needs. According to reports from Pop Base on X, the team accomplished this feat by paying each shop owner a substantial 20,000 baht (approximately S$740) to close their doors early.
While some critics argued that the amount was “barely any money,” fans came to Lisa’s defense, pointing out that the payment was significant considering the closure was only for a short period, from 2 am to 5 am, for three consecutive days – a time when most shops would typically be closed.
To put the amount into perspective, the daily minimum wage in Thailand is set to increase to 400 baht (approximately S$15) from October this year, making the 20,000 baht payment equivalent to nearly a month’s worth of salary for some shop owners.
