Blackpink star Lisa delivered her first live performance of the single “SaWaDiKa” at the 2026 MTV VMAs, arriving onstage via a tuk-tuk and opening with martial arts-inspired choreography. The solo artist, who also secured the Best Pop award for her track “Dream,” holds four nominations at the ceremony.
Staging the Solo Debut and Cultural Homages
The performance marked a major milestone for the K-pop star, bringing the single released on September 3 directly to the MTV VMAs stage for its live debut. Lisa explained the title’s meaning—which translates to “hello” in Thai—during a September 17 appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. To emphasize her roots, the elaborate set featured a mini homage to Thai culture with a tuk-tuk brought directly onto the stage, paired with high-energy, martial arts-inspired choreography.
https://x.com/PopBase/status/2104367460145414251
Fans quickly shared clips of the staging across social media platforms as the night unfolded. The performance follows a busy promotional window that included a trip to the Toronto Film Festival for the premiere of her documentary, Always Lalisa.
| Category / Track | Status / Result | Associated Event |
|---|---|---|
| “Dream” (Best Pop) | Won | 2026 MTV VMAs Opening |
| “SaWaDiKa” | Live Debut | 2026 MTV VMAs Performance |
| Blackpink (“Jump” & Best Group) | Nominated | 2026 MTV VMAs Nominations |
| Solo Nominations Total | Four Nods | 2026 MTV VMAs |
Awards Tally and Upcoming Residency Roadmap
Lisa entered the 2026 ceremony with four solo nominations, while her group, Blackpink, secured two additional nods, including Best Group and Best K-pop for “Jump.” Early in the evening, Lisa’s track “Dream” claimed the award for Best Pop. Alongside Best Pop, she remains in the running for Best K-pop, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing.
https://x.com/THR/status/2104368144907464753
With the VMAs appearance concluding, attention turns immediately to her live schedule. Lisa is set to perform at her upcoming Las Vegas residency, which officially begins in November.
Reflecting on Personal Roots and Tributes
Speaking to Reuters during the Toronto Film Festival, Lisa shared details about a pre-performance ritual rooted in her family history. She explained that she invites her late grandfather and her dance teacher, Teacher Nok, to join her in spirit backstage.
“I’m super close with my grandpa and during COVID, I couldn’t go back, and that’s when he passed away,” Lisa told Reuters. “He was always my biggest supporter; he always believed in me. And teacher Nok, I think he’s one of the key people that made me, me today. I just want to invite them to come and see me perform because he didn’t have a chance to see me here today, so that’s why I’m always like, ‘Hey, come watch me. I’m gonna do this here, just watch.’ I feel like they’re my guardian angels.”
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
