In October 2025, the global music scene witnessed a groundbreaking collaboration that bridged the gap between K-pop and Western pop. “Eyes Closed” by Jisoo of BLACKPINK and Zayn Malik, the British singer-songwriter and former One Direction member. This duet wasn’t just another release; it was an emotional exploration of love, heartbreak, and healing wrapped in a mesmerizing blend of soulful vocals and ethereal production. The collaboration immediately trended across all major platforms. Proving that when two distinct voices from opposite sides of the world meet, magic happens.
The Collaboration: When East Meets West
Fans had long speculated about a potential partnership between Jisoo and Zayn Malik. Both artists share a reputation for artistic independence and emotional authenticity. The initial hints dropped on social media in early October — cryptic teasers, matching celestial imagery, and a single phrase: “Two voices, one orbit.” When Eyes Closed was finally released on October 10, 2025, through Blissoo and Warner Records. It confirmed what fans had suspected: this was not a coincidence but a carefully crafted artistic union.
The collaboration symbolized more than just a musical meeting. It represented the growing cultural connection between K-pop’s global rise and Western pop’s emotional storytelling. For Jisoo, it marked another bold step into international recognition beyond her BLACKPINK fame. For Zayn, it reaffirmed his creative evolution as an artist unafraid to experiment across genres.
Musical Style and Composition
Eyes Closed stands out for its lush production and emotional intensity. The track opens with a gentle acoustic guitar riff that slowly builds into an ambient synthscape, layered with soft percussion and atmospheric harmonies. The arrangement captures a dreamlike tone — perfectly suited for the song’s theme of trust, vulnerability, and rediscovering love after pain.
Jisoo’s soothing, crystalline vocals contrast beautifully with Zayn’s deep, velvety tone. Their harmonies create a delicate balance between fragility and strength. The song moves effortlessly between English and Korean, symbolizing unity through emotion rather than language. This bilingual delivery gives Eyes Closed a universal appeal, inviting listeners from around the world to connect on a deeply personal level.
Lyrically, the song portrays the idea of choosing love despite uncertainty. The phrase “eyes closed” becomes a metaphor for surrendering to emotion without fear. Jisoo’s verse touches on healing from heartbreak, while Zayn’s lines suggest learning to trust again. Together, their voices weave a narrative of shared vulnerability — a love story that begins in hesitation and grows into courage.
Visual Storytelling: The “Eyes Closed” Music Video
The music video for Eyes Closed expands on the song’s emotional depth through striking visuals and cinematic storytelling. Set against a futuristic, cosmic landscape, the video portrays Jisoo and Zayn as two distant souls searching for connection across galaxies. The use of glowing stars, soft lens flares, and color transitions from midnight blue to rose gold reflects the emotional journey from solitude to unity.
Jisoo’s styling embodies elegance and calm — flowing dresses, minimalist makeup, and serene movements. Zayn’s appearance, with muted tones and subtle lighting, adds a grounded presence to the ethereal setting. The cinematography emphasizes close-up shots of both artists with their eyes gently closed, reinforcing the message of faith and trust in the unseen.
Fans have praised the video for its aesthetic sophistication, calling it “a visual poem” that perfectly complements the song’s dreamy atmosphere. The production, directed by a team of Korean and British creatives, has been lauded for its balance of K-pop artistry and Western cinematic flair.
Public Reaction and Global Impact
Upon release, Eyes Closed quickly climbed the charts across multiple countries. Within hours, it dominated iTunes and Spotify trending sections, while hashtags like #EyesClosed, #JisooZayn, and #ZaynJisooCollab trended on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. The duet also broke YouTube records, surpassing 50 million views within the first 24 hours of its premiere.
Critics and fans alike responded with enthusiasm. Major music outlets described the song as “emotionally charged,” “a cross-cultural triumph,” and “proof that language is no barrier to connection.” On fan forums and TikTok, countless users created edits and covers, emphasizing the song’s universal relatability.
This collaboration also highlighted a growing global trend: cross-genre, cross-language partnerships. Just as BTS worked with Coldplay and BLACKPINK collaborated with Selena Gomez, Jisoo and Zayn’s project reinforced how the music world continues to evolve beyond geographical and linguistic borders.
What “Eyes Closed” Means for Jisoo and Zayn’s Careers
For Jisoo, Eyes Closed signals a defining moment in her solo career. Since debuting as part of BLACKPINK. She has continuously shown her versatility — from acting in Snowdrop to releasing her solo hits. This duet gives her the opportunity to showcase her emotional depth and musical maturity to a broader, international audience. It also marks her first major English-language collaboration, opening doors for future global projects.
For Zayn Malik, the song represents a creative renewal. Known for his soulful R&B style and introspective lyrics, Zayn has always gravitated toward emotionally rich music. Collaborating with Jisoo allows him to explore new sonic landscapes while introducing his artistry to K-pop listeners. His ability to adapt and blend seamlessly with Jisoo’s style proves his growth as a global artist who transcends genres.
Together, their partnership embodies the idea of artistic courage — stepping beyond comfort zones to create something timeless.
The Emotional Core of “Eyes Closed”
At its heart, Eyes Closed isn’t just a love song. It’s a reflection on healing, trust, and the willingness to embrace the unknown. The lyrics encourage listeners to believe in connection even when the path ahead is unclear. The idea of “closing your eyes” becomes a symbol of surrender — not of blindness, but of faith.
The emotional resonance of the track has made it deeply personal for many fans. Listeners have shared how the song helped them through heartbreak or loneliness, finding solace in the message that love can still be beautiful even after pain. The vulnerability expressed by both Jisoo and Zayn creates a shared space where emotion feels authentic and healing feels possible.
Eyes Closed by Jisoo and Zayn Malik is more than a cross-cultural collaboration — it’s a moment in music history that represents emotional honesty, artistic bravery, and global unity. Through its haunting melody, poetic lyrics, and breathtaking visuals, the song reminds listeners that love is not always about clarity; sometimes, it’s about trust.
As both artists continue their journeys in 2025 and beyond, Eyes Closed stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, vulnerability, and artistic vision. Whether you’re a longtime BLACKPINK fan, a follower of Zayn’s soulful music, or simply someone who appreciates emotionally rich songs, Eyes Closed offers a universal truth: sometimes, the most beautiful connections are made when we take a leap — eyes closed.
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