It's a Shut Down! Bangkok’s Chinatown was temporarily closed off as Blackpink's Lisa shot her brand-new single “Rockstar” along its bustling street. Shopkeepers were reported to have been paid a whopping 20,000 baht by the Thai star’s team.
The solo track was released on June 28, featuring a contemporary R&B and Hip-Hop sound that embodies the star’s signature style. The single was accompanied by a music video shot down Yaowarat Road, more popularly known as Bangkok’s Chinatown, and showcases an eclectic street food scene against neon-lit buildings abuzz with dancers and performers.
Lisa’s team rented out the area for a few hours for three days in May, offering 20,000 baht to shopkeepers and an additional 1,000 baht to passersby for any disturbances caused by the shoot. Although some critics argued that the compensation was barely enough, fans of the Thai K-pop star are quick to defend that it was significant as the closure was only from 2 AM to 5 AM — a time when shops are typically closed.
To put the amount into perspective, the daily minimum wage in Thailand is set to increase to THB400 this October.
