LISA and Doja Cat's 'Born Again' K-Pop Victory

"Born Again" won Best K-Pop at the 2025 VMAs, beating out Aespa, Jimin, Jisoo, and Stray Kids — securing Lisa's third VMA win in four years and making her the most decorated solo artist in Best K-Pop history. The track features Doja Cat and Raye, debuted at #6 on Global Spotify with 6.26 million day-one streams, and first hit #1 in Thailand. There's even more to this record-breaking story ahead.

Key Takeaways

• "Born Again" won Best K-Pop at the 2025 VMAs, beating Aespa, Jimin, Jisoo, and Stray Kids.
• The win made Lisa the most decorated solo artist in Best K-Pop VMA history with three wins in four years.
• Victory was credited to viral momentum, a multi-genre approach, and high-profile collaborations with Doja Cat and RAYE.
• Lisa accepted the award via a pre-recorded message aired during the VMAs ceremony.
• The track blends disco and electropop, debuting at #6 globally on Spotify with 6.26 million first-day streams.

What Is 'Born Again' and Who's Behind It?

"Born Again" is a pop song by Thai rapper and singer Lisa, featuring American rapper and singer Doja Cat and British singer-songwriter Raye. Released on February 6, 2025, through Lloud and RCA Records, it's the fourth single from Lisa's debut studio album Alter Ego. The track blends disco and electropop elements, making it a compelling example of genre fusion that sets it apart from conventional K-pop releases.

Thematically, it's a post-breakup empowerment anthem addressing an ex's loss in the relationship. The song also reflects Lisa's artist reinvention following her departure from YG Entertainment, as she now operates through her own management company, Lloud. Raye and Andrew Wells produced it, with Doja Cat and Anthony Rossomando contributing to the writing. The song was notably featured in the trailer for The White Lotus season 3.

The Lisa, Doja Cat, and Raye Collaboration Explained

The collaboration behind "Born Again" traces back further than you might think. Raye originally previewed a demo version on Instagram Live in June 2021, but Lisa's label scrapped it for her debut album. The track eventually got reworked, and the Lisa dynamics shifted when Doja Cat joined as a featured artist — something Lisa had publicly expressed as a goal in an October Audacy interview.

The collaborative process brought together writers Raye, Andrew Wells, Doja Cat, and Anthony Rossomando, producing a pop track blending disco and electropop elements. Each artist brings a distinct voice: Lisa's verse uses a speeding-away metaphor, Doja Cat delivers a half-sung, half-rapped taunt toward an ex, and Raye incorporates heavy religious iconography. Together, they've shaped a sharp post-breakup empowerment anthem. The song was also prominently featured in the trailer for The White Lotus season 3, giving it significant mainstream visibility ahead of its official release.

What 'Born Again' Is Really About Lyrically

Stripping away the glossy disco-pop production, "Born Again" delivers a sharp post-breakup empowerment narrative built around spiritual rebirth and unapologetic self-reclamation. You'll notice the lyrics frame liberation not as heartbreak but as godlike ascension, positioning the artists above the emotional wreckage.

Doja Cat's Eden reference doubles as an exploitation critique, calling out a partner who took without reciprocating. Raye sharpens this further, declaring she'd have "made you a believer" if the ex had simply tried harder, then concluding she ended things to "save my soul." Lisa anchors the track's "Born Again" motif, reinforcing that leaving wasn't defeat — it was transformation.

Rather than mourning, all three artists taunt their exes for missing something genuinely transcendent, turning the classic breakup song completely on its head. The music video reinforces this energy, with deity imagery styling presenting all three artists as divine figures that mirror the song's lyrical themes.

Inside the 'Born Again' Music Video's Warrior Transformation

Directed by Bardia Zeinali — whose previous credits include Sabrina Carpenter's "Please Please Please" and Tate McRae's "Sports Car" — the "Born Again" music video translates those lyrical themes of spiritual rebirth into striking visual language.

You'll watch LISA, Doja Cat, and RAYE shed their black mourning gowns before emerging in ethereal white dresses layered with silver armor — a medieval fashion statement signaling complete transformation. Doja Cat's chainmail flourish adds haute couture edge to the warrior aesthetic.

The trio then approaches a giant rock, performing ritual choreography as they beat their chests in unison — a deliberate declaration of reclaimed strength. This sequence visualizes the song's post-breakup empowerment narrative, turning personal reinvention into something ceremonial, physical, and unmistakably cinematic. The video opens with a striking black-and-white grandfather clock, its hands winding backward before a vivid color transition signals the arrival of an entirely new era. Much like the golden ratio in design, the visual composition of each frame feels deliberately proportioned to evoke harmony and balance within its bold, transformative aesthetic.

How 'Born Again' Won Best K-Pop at the 2025 VMAs

When the 2025 VMAs announced Best K-Pop, "Born Again" beat out a stacked field — Aespa's "Whiplash," Jimin's "Who," Jisoo's "Earthquake," and Stray Kids' "Chk Chk Boom" — earning LISA the Moon Person trophy.

The win didn't happen by accident. "Born Again's" viral momentum, fueled by its bold multi-genre approach and high-profile collaboration with Doja Cat and Raye, kept the track dominating conversations leading up to the ceremony.

Voting patterns reflected that sustained energy, with fans rallying consistently behind LISA throughout the voting period.

Although she couldn't attend in person, her pre-recorded acceptance message played during the broadcast, where she thanked MTV and the VMAs for their support. LISA also noted that portions of her album Alter Ego were recorded in Thailand while she was simultaneously filming The White Lotus.

Paramount+ even highlighted the win on YouTube, cementing "Born Again's" historic Best K-Pop victory.

How 'Born Again' Made Lisa a Three-Time VMA Winner

"Born Again" secured LISA her third VMA win in four years, cementing her place as the most decorated solo artist in the Best K-Pop category's history. This VMA milestone puts her ahead of every competitor she's faced, including fellow BLACKPINK members Jisoo, Jennie, and Rosé, who all competed in the same category this year.

You can trace her solo legacy back to her first VMA win, where she began separating herself from the group and building individual recognition. Each consecutive win reinforced that trajectory, making "Born Again" the defining moment that locked in her three-time winner status. The award was announced during the preshow, and though LISA wasn't present, the victory still resonated loudly, proving her dominance in the category remains unmatched. Unable to attend the ceremony in person, LISA delivered a pre-filmed acceptance speech, expressing her gratitude with the heartfelt words "I couldn't have done it without you guys."

Why 'Born Again' Hit Number One in Thailand First

Thailand was always going to be LISA's most personal battleground, and "Born Again" didn't disappoint. Released February 6, 2025, through Lloud and RCA Records, the disco-infused electropop track became her first-ever number one on the Official Thailand Chart — a milestone she hadn't reached before in her native country.

The Thai fandom mobilized immediately, pushing the single to the top from day one. The streaming strategy behind the launch helped markedly — the music video dropped simultaneously on Lloud's YouTube channel, giving fans instant access and driving early plays. That momentum translated directly into chart position. For those wanting to explore more music-related trivia and facts, category-based fact finding tools can surface additional context around chart-topping artists and global music trends.

Themes of post-breakup empowerment and powerful womanhood resonated deeply with local listeners. Combined with K-pop loyalty and a culturally familiar narrative, Thailand naturally became the first market to crown "Born Again" number one. The song also charted within the top twenty in several Asian countries, further cementing LISA's regional dominance.

Every Chart 'Born Again' Broke Around the World

From the moment "Born Again" landed on February 7, 2025, it immediately carved its way into charts worldwide.

You're looking at a track that debuted at #6 on the Global Spotify chart, pulling in 6.26 million streams on its very first day. Those streaming milestones made it the sole new entry in the Global Spotify Top 40 and the top new release across global rankings that week.

It didn't stop at streaming.

At US pop radio, "Born Again" racked up 231 spins on debut day, positioning it for both a Top 50 and potential Top 40 entry on the Mediabase pop chart. Stations like B107 New Orleans, 106.5 The End Sacramento, and 98.5 KLUC Las Vegas each delivered 11 spins, helping drive that powerful opening number. The track is credited to LISA, Doja Cat, and RAYE, bringing together three distinct global artists on a single release.

How 'Born Again' Made Its Live Debut at Coachella

Chart dominance was just the beginning. When LISA took the Coachella 2025 stage for her solo debut, she brought "Born Again" to life in a way studio recordings never could. Every Coachella rehearsal paid off during Weekend 1, where stage adaptation transformed the track into a full festival experience.

Here's what made the live debut unforgettable:

• LISA marked her first-ever solo Coachella appearance
• "Born Again" appeared directly on the Weekend 1 setlist
• The studio version's guitar solo arrangement guided the live performance blueprint
• Concert footage captured the entire live rendition for fans worldwide

The performance landed roughly six weeks after the February 6 single release, giving the song enough momentum to hit the desert stage at full force. The track itself comes from LISA's debut solo album "Alter Ego," released on February 28, making the Coachella moment an early celebration of her first major solo project.

Why Critics Named 'Born Again' Alter Ego's Standout Track

When critics heard "Born Again," they didn't hesitate to name it the standout opener of Alter Ego. The critical consensus was clear: the track nails the perfect formula by blending each artist's strengths without compromise. You'll notice how sonic innovation drives the song forward, fusing disco and electropop into a production that both percolates and surges at exactly the right moments.

Critics praised how it goes straight for pop's jugular, delivering global appeal through a funky bassline and lithe synth-funk beat. The collaboration isn't just impressive — it's a powerhouse statement proving the entire album's worth. Lisa, Doja Cat, and Raye each bring something distinct, and together they create something critics couldn't overlook. It's the track that sets *Alter Ego*'s tone and delivers on every expectation. Several outlets, including Billboard and Rolling Stone, ranked it third-best on the album, underscoring just how much weight critics placed on its impact.