I recently saw an article criticizing Lisa from BLACKPINK, saying she was “talentless” and didn’t deserve to be paid $40,000 for one movie episode. To be honest, I’m not a hardcore fan. I like some of BLACKPINK’s songs, but I wouldn’t call myself a Blink. Still, reading that headline made me upset.

Whether or not someone thinks Lisa is the best dancer or singer doesn’t change the fact that she is a global icon. She trained for years, got selected by one of South Korea’s top entertainment companies, and built an international career. That is not easy. That is not luck. That is years of hard work, discipline, and persistence.

So I couldn’t help but wonder, who are these people calling her “talentless”? What have they accomplished that gives them the authority to judge her so casually?

This kind of criticism isn’t new to me. I have seen it my whole life. I remember getting a new haircut I loved, only to hear rude remarks from neighbors. Or dressing up just to be met with unwanted comments. It didn’t matter whether I looked good or bad. People always had something to say. And most of the time, their words weren’t helpful. They were meant to hurt.

The truth is, people are often quick to judge what they don’t understand or what challenges their expectations. They want others to fit neatly into boxes they have created. When someone stands out, dares to be different, or achieves something big, the judgment comes fast and harsh.

But we are not made to be the same. Each of us is unique. Each of us has the right to live, work, dream, and express ourselves in our own way.

Lisa earned her success. Whether someone thinks she deserves $40,000 or not doesn’t change the fact that she has built something extraordinary. Instead of tearing people down, we should learn to respect their journey, even if it is different from our own.