In a move that has sent shockwaves of excitement through the global music scene, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo and former One Direction star Zayn Malik have officially announced their highly anticipated crossover duet, titled “Eyes Closed.” The surprise collaboration, confirmed on October 8, 2025, is set to drop on October 10, 2025, igniting a fervent buzz among fans of both K-pop and Western pop music.
A Landmark Announcement
The groundbreaking news was simultaneously unveiled by both artists across their official Instagram accounts. Accompanying the announcement was a striking promotional poster featuring Jisoo in the foreground with Malik’s shadowed silhouette behind her, hinting at a mysterious and compelling chemistry. Alongside the artwork, a short audio snippet provided fans with a tantalizing preview of the chorus, showcasing their harmonized vocals and offering a glimpse into the song’s emotive narrative. This announcement quickly propelled the news to the top of trending music discussions worldwide.
The Artists: Two Global Icons Collide
Jisoo, a global superstar and integral member of the record-breaking K-pop group BLACKPINK, has been steadily carving out a significant solo path. Following the release of her successful solo EP “Amortage” in February 2025, which included hits like “Earthquake,” “Eyes Closed” marks her first musical project as a featured artist outside of her group and solo endeavors. Her journey has been marked by chart-topping success, including her debut single “Flower” reaching number two on the Billboard Global 200 and her status as the top-selling female K-pop soloist on the Circle Chart.
Zayn Malik, who first rose to global fame as a member of One Direction, has since established a successful solo career with his distinctive R&B-infused sound. “Eyes Closed” signifies Malik’s official foray into the K-pop arena, a move that has generated considerable intrigue. His career includes collaborations with major Western artists, and this venture into K-pop collaboration is viewed as a significant expansion of his artistic reach.
“Eyes Closed”: A Glimpse into the Duet
The chorus lyrics shared in the teaser suggest a theme of falling in love blindly and embracing a fresh start, with lines such as “Said, oh, we should fall in love with our eyes closed, Better if we keep it where we don’t know”. The production of the accompanying visual content is reportedly being handled by UnderWonder Content, a team known for their work on music videos for artists like BTS’s Jungkook and Lady Gaga. While a full music video has not been officially announced, the anticipation for the song’s release remains exceptionally high, with fans eager to hear how the artists’ distinct vocal styles blend.
The Hype and Cross-Cultural Fusion
The collaboration has sparked immense hype, with fans coining the portmanteau “Zaynsoo” which has trended across social media platforms. This union is being celebrated as a pivotal moment for cross-cultural music exchange, bridging the gap between the K-pop phenomenon and the established Western music industry. Such collaborations, like BLACKPINK’s previous work with Selena Gomez on “Ice Cream,” have proven to expand reach and blend diverse musical sensibilities. The announcement has been met with widespread enthusiasm, with many fans expressing their joy and disbelief at this powerful pairing.
Seeds of Collaboration
Speculation about a potential collaboration had been brewing for months. The narrative gained traction in July 2025 when Malik was spotted attending a BLACKPINK concert in New York with his daughter, Khai. He later shared a photo from the event, thanking the group, which fans now interpret as an early precursor to this musical partnership. The perceived “hollywood” allure of such a high-profile Western artist engaging with a K-pop titan like Jisoo further amplified the excitement.
Looking Ahead
As “Eyes Closed” prepares for its release, both artists are continuing to navigate significant solo ventures. Jisoo is actively participating in BLACKPINK’s “Deadline” world tour, while Malik is gearing up for a Las Vegas residency and a Netflix documentary series with former bandmate Louis Tomlinson. This duet is poised to be a major highlight of the musical landscape, demonstrating the ever-increasing global influence and reach of both K-pop and its artists within the international music industry.
