Official poster for “Eyes Closed” featuring Jisoo and Zayn.
zayn malik/twitter
Pop sensations Kim Jisoo (stylized mononymously as Jisoo) and Zayn Malik (also stylized mononymously as Zayn) have announced a collaboration track titled “Eyes Closed”, due to drop on 10th October.
The pairing of the BLACKPINK vocalist and the former One Direction star has instantly galvanized their massive, global fan bases, who have been speculating wildly since the first enigmatic teasers appeared online on 5th October. The poster was titled simply, “a duet is near”.”
Zayn was previously seen in attendance at BLACKPINK’s New York stop in July, along with his daughter Khai.
“Eyes Closed” is expected to be a mood-driven, slow-burn R&B ballad, showcasing the artists’ contrasting yet complementary vocal talents. The teaser snippet suggests a track focused on themes of secret, intense romance and escapism, with a chorus promising a raw, emotional delivery: “Said, oh, we should fall in love with our eyes closed / Better if we keep it where we don’t know”.
There is speculation online that the central chorus line of falling in love with one’s eyes closed is based on a quote by American director and producer Andy Warhol, in his book The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B and Back Again), although there does not seem a credible primary source for this attribution.
Backstories and Solo Identities
The new single arrives at a pivotal time for both stars, who have each recently focused on their distinct solo identities.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – DECEMBER 06: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Image has been retouched at the request of the client.) Jisoo attends the opening of Dior Gold House on December 06, 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images for Dior)
Getty Images for Dior
Jisoo rose to international fame as a member of BLACKPINK in 2016. She successfully launched her solo career in 2023 with the single album ME and the hit “Flower,” setting a historic benchmark as the best-selling album by a female soloist in South Korea. Outside of music, Jisoo is a recognized global figure in fashion, acting as a high-profile ambassador for luxury brands like Dior, and is known for her leading role in the 2021 K-drama Snowdrop.
In 2024, she established her own creative label, Blissoo, through which she released her first EP, Amortage, in February 2025. Her current activities include juggling the release of “Eyes Closed” with BLACKPINK’s ongoing “Deadline” World Tour and preparations for the group’s mini-album, expected in November.
This is her first official international duet, positioning her solo brand for greater expansion in Western markets.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 21: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Zayn Malik performs onstage during the ZAYN: Stairway To The Sky Tour at The Anthem on January 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Zayn)
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Zayn
Zayn Malik, who debuted on The X Factor in 2010, gained global prominence as a founding member of the boy band One Direction before his much publicized departure in 2015.
His solo career quickly established him in the alternative R&B genre with the release of his 2016 album, Mind of Mine, and the chart-topping single “Pillowtalk.” Known for his intensely private nature, his recent news has been both professional and personal.
In May 2024, he released his fourth studio album, Room Under the Stairs. More recently, in a significant shift from his usual private demeanor, he confirmed participation in a Netflix documentary series alongside former bandmate Louis Tomlinson, set to offer intimate reflections in the wake of former member Liam Payne’s death.
For Zayn, “Eyes Closed” represents his first collaboration with a leading KPop artist, further demonstrating the continued erosion of international music borders and the growing commercial viability of K-pop and Western pop fusion.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hannahabraham/2025/10/08/blackpinks-jisoo-and-zayn-malik-announce-crossover-duet-eyes-closed/
