'Jump'-ing into love? Lisa's rumored billionaire boyfriend visits Korea during BLACKPINK tour kickoff
Frederic Arnault with BLACKPINK / Captured from Arnault's social media
Frederic Arnault, CEO of Italian luxury brand Loro Piana and rumored boyfriend of BLACKPINK's Lisa, recently visited Korea and reportedly met with the heads of the country’s four leading department stores. His trip coincided with the start of BLACKPINK’s new world tour, raising speculation about a possible connection.
On July Monday and Tuesday, Arnault met with Jung Joon-ho of Lotte Department Store, Kim Young-hoon of Hanwha Galleria, Park Joo-hyung of Shinsegae Department Store and Jung Ji-young of Hyundai Department Store.
He visited several flagship locations, including Lotte's Jamsil branch and AvenueL, Shinsegae in Gangnam, Galleria Luxury Hall in Apgujeong and Hyundai Department Store’s main Apgujeong branch. During these visits, he reportedly toured LVMH-owned luxury boutiques, including Loro Piana.
The timing of his visit has fueled speculation that Arnault coordinated his schedule to align with Lisa’s, as BLACKPINK held the first concerts of its new world tour, “Deadline,” on Saturday and Sunday in Korea. However, no sightings of the two together during the visit have been reported.
BLACKPINK's Lisa and Frederic Arnault / Captured from an online fan community
Lisa and Arnault have been at the center of dating rumors since July 2023. Though neither has publicly confirmed the relationship, numerous sightings and leaked photos have led fans to believe they are dating.
In April, during the Coachella Festival in the United States, Lisa was seen filming fellow BLACKPINK member Jennie with her phone and fans noticed that the lock screen appeared to be a photo of Frederic Arnault. The following month, photos of Lisa and Arnault on a seaside date in Sicily, Italy, circulated online. Lisa appeared without sunglasses or a mask, while Arnault wore sunglasses.
Rumors of a possible engagement or marriage have also emerged, especially after Lisa was seen interacting with Arnault’s family. In 2024, she was photographed walking on a Miami beach with French designer Géraldine Guyot, Arnault’s sister-in-law, and was also seen greeting his parents.
Born in 1995, Frederic Arnault is the fourth son of LVMH Chairman Bernard Arnault, whose conglomerate owns over 50 luxury brands. He previously served as CEO of TAG Heuer before assuming leadership of Loro Piana.
Lisa, a Thai national born in 1997, debuted with BLACKPINK in 2016. After launching their 16-city, 31-show “Deadline” world tour in Goyang, the group will head to Los Angeles on July 12 and 13. Their new single, “Jump,” is set to be released on Friday.
This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.