Robert Draws – Zayn Malik is teaming up with K-pop star Jisoo of BLACKPINK for a cross-continental collaboration that fans never saw coming. Their upcoming duet titled EyesClosed was finally confirmed after both artists posted a teaser image early on October 8. The teaser featured the single’s title and a glimpse of its cover art. This revelation arrived after weeks of speculation fueled by Jisoo’s cryptic teaser and Zayn’s surprise appearance at BLACKPINK’s concert in New York last July.
Since then, the rumor mill has not stopped turning. The teaser sent social media into a frenzy as millions of fans expressed shock and excitement over this unprecedented musical pairing. The collaboration marks a major moment for the global music scene, uniting a former member of One Direction with a key figure of K-pop’s biggest girl group. With EyesClosed expected to be a ballad, fans are preparing for a track filled with deep emotion and powerful vocals.
Following Jisoo’s mysterious teaser post earlier this week, speculation grew rapidly regarding a potential project involving Zayn Malik. In the image posted by Jisoo, she stood in front of a hooded figure whose silhouette closely resembled Zayn. The post contained no caption and only displayed a faint date at the bottom. That moment sparked wild fan theories, especially considering that Zayn Malik had been seen at BLACKPINK’s New York concert in July.
At the time, Zayn was photographed with his daughter Khai enjoying the show, later thanking the group through his Instagram. Many fans now believe that visit was more than a casual appearance. It may have been an early hint at the duet project with Jisoo. Now that EyesClosed has been confirmed by both artists, these moments are being viewed as deliberate teasers. This collaboration represents a major milestone in K-pop and Western pop music coming together on a single global stage.
The song EyesClosed is reported to be a ballad that combines emotional depth with the unique vocal colors of both Jisoo and Zayn Malik. According to sources quoted by Korean media, the two artists have been working behind the scenes on the track for months. Their goal was to create a duet that could reflect both of their musical identities while delivering a universal message of love and longing. Unlike high-energy dance tracks that often dominate K-pop charts, EyesClosed is said to take a softer, more sentimental route. This direction allows both singers to focus on vocal expression and musical storytelling. With Zayn’s signature soulful tone and Jisoo’s gentle clarity, the combination is expected to result in a deeply moving sound. Fans who followed Zayn’s solo career and Jisoo’s recent debut album Amortage are anticipating a collaboration that blends maturity, vulnerability, and undeniable artistry in one intimate performance.
The collaboration between Jisoo and Zayn Malik surprises fans and marks an important moment in the music industry. For Jisoo, it is her first musical release since her solo debut album Amortage with four original tracks. Amortage helped establish Jisoo’s unique identity outside of her group BLACKPINK. For Zayn, this duet is a chance to grow creatively beyond his past with One Direction. Many industry experts believe this duet could inspire more crossovers between K-pop and Western pop artists.
Global fanbases are merging, making collaborations like this more likely in the future. This marks the first time Zayn Malik has collaborated with a K-pop artist in his career. His involvement shows interest in exploring new sounds and breaking musical boundaries. Two artists from different cultures uniting reflects the changing landscape of today’s global music industry. Although full details are not confirmed, fans expect a music video or live performance may come next.
The release of EyesClosed arrives at a strategic point in both artists’ careers. Jisoo is currently on a break between BLACKPINK’s Deadline world tour shows. After wrapping up the London leg in August, she is set to resume performances in Taiwan on October 18 and Jakarta in early November. Meanwhile, Zayn has kept a low profile, focusing on personal projects and his role as a father. With this duet, he makes a bold return to the spotlight.
Releasing EyesClosed in October allows both artists to maximize global attention before the end-of-year award season. It also gives fans a fresh new anthem as winter approaches. Teasers have not mentioned a music video yet, but given the star power involved, many expect one to drop soon. Whether or not EyesClosed will lead to more collaborations is unknown, but one thing is certain — this duet is already one of the most talked-about music moments of 2025.
This article is sourced from www.cnbcindonesia.com and for more details you can read at robertdraws
Writer: Sarah Azhari
Editor: Anisa
