BLACKPINK’s Lisa’s Playful Bite On ‘Dream’ Co-Star Kentaro Sakaguchi Stirs Harassment Debate, Did She Cross the Line?

Falling under a wave of criticism since the release of the short film Dream starring Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi, BLACKPINK’s Lisa, a global Kpop icon, is facing social media backlash. A behind-the-scenes photo posted in her Instagram stories showed Lisa pretending to playfully bite Sakaguchi’s arm, the accusations of “sexual harassment” soon followed with piled-up controversy online.

The Dream Short Film: A Cinematic Triumph Marred by Controversy

Released on August 13, 2025, Dream is a minuscule yet emotionally weighty 5-minute visual from Lisa’s solo album Alter Ego. Directed by Ojun Kwon, it shows a tragic love story with deaths on both sides between Lisa and Sakaguchi, garnering 6.05 million views on YouTube within 24 hours-the highest for a short film in 2025.

Lisa’s Instagram post showing her biting Sakaguchi’s arm during a break intended to present a playful dynamic between the actors but instead sparked backlash, this banter was not appreciated by Japanese netizens, resulting in hateful trolls and tweets, considering Lisa’s behaviour as unprofessional and inappropriate.

Netizens’ Reactions: An Online Polarisation

The controversy set off an online storm, with voices divided over various X posts. Detractors claimed the gesture was” sexual harassment,” with one insisting, “If the roles were reversed, he’d be accused of assault.”

Some critics went on to denounce Lisa’s fans for dismissing valid critique with unrefined insults, which included disparaging remarks about Japan concerning “atomic bomb jokes.”

On the other hand, Lisa’s supporters asserted that she had rather been professional and that there had been a different level of understanding between the two. One fan said, “They’re professionals working on an intimate story, context matters!” Meanwhile, some went back to dig up older unrelated videos of Lisa to fuel the ongoing controversy and accuse her of bullying.

Cultural Context with Spotlight on Double Standards

This entire hubbub reveals several underlying aspects dealing with cultural differences and gender relations in the entertainment world. Some claim it is a double standard, as men rarely face this amount of scrutiny for some sort of playful behaviour.

There are those who say Lisa has plenty of professional experience in projects like The White Lotus, thus asking that her intent and collaborative nature of the set be assessed by her attackers. While Dream trends on YouTube, the debate contrasts starkly against the growing challenges that international icons encounter-bent in some cultural sensitivity and a whole lot of online backlash.

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