JISOO X ZAYN - EYES CLOSED: The Real Story Behind Their Stunning Collaboration

JISOO X ZAYN - EYES CLOSED marks a groundbreaking musical moment as two global superstars cross paths for an unexpected collaboration. Released on October 10, 2023, this soulful and tender pop song captures the beginning of a new romance with a dreamy melody that perfectly showcases both artists' vocal talents.

Furthermore, this release represents a significant milestone for Jisoo of BLACKPINK, as it serves as her first official English-language single since her extended play "Amortage" in February. The collaboration comes during BLACKPINK's ongoing Deadline World Tour, which continues through January 2026. Meanwhile, Zayn is preparing for his upcoming Las Vegas residency scheduled for mid-January. Notably, Zayn seldom collaborates with other artists, having previously worked only with Taylor Swift on "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" for the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack.

Both artists have expressed excitement about the project, with Jisoo celebrating the release through an Instagram post featuring photos with Zayn and describing it as "something very special we've been working on". In the visually stunning music video, the pair fly past Saturn and fall for each other, creating a cosmic-themed narrative that complements their musical chemistry.

The story behind the collaboration

The unexpected musical partnership between Jisoo and Zayn began with a concert experience. The former One Direction star attended BLACKPINK's New York show on July 27, 2025, accompanied by his four-year-old daughter Khai. After the performance, he shared an appreciative Instagram post, writing: "@BLACKPINKOFFICIAL THANK YOU 🙂 ME & KHAI LOVED IT". This concert visit later proved to be the first hint of their developing artistic connection.

How Jisoo and Zayn first connected

Following the concert appearance, Zayn alluded to "new music coming out soon with another cool collaborator" during a livestream. The initial seed of their partnership was planted at this BLACKPINK concert, which industry sources later confirmed as the reason the British singer was invited to attend.

Hints and teasers before the release

On October 5, Jisoo shared the first teaser poster for "Eyes Closed," featuring herself in a black leather dress with a mysterious silhouette in the background. The caption simply read "a duet is near". The next day, she posted a second image captioned "Two voices, one orbit. Coming soon," showing a male figure with his back turned. Eagle-eyed fans quickly identified a distinctive tattoo on the mystery collaborator's head that resembled Zayn's. The pair officially confirmed the collaboration on October 8, just two days before the song's release.

Why this duet was a surprise to fans

The collaboration stunned both fanbases primarily because Zayn seldom works with other artists on his personal projects. Additionally, this partnership represents his first collaboration with a leading K-pop artist, essentially uniting two musical worlds that rarely intersect. Social media erupted with excitement when the teaser dropped, with fans declaring it "the collab of the year" and "a dream come true". One fan humorously noted, "This is the same Zayn who sends 10-second clips to artists he collabs with for a music video from his farm, THE POWER Jisoo has for dragging him out".

Breaking down the lyrics of 'Eyes Closed'

The lyrical composition of "EYES CLOSED" presents a delicate dance between vulnerability and caution, woven through passionate verses and a hopeful chorus.

Opening lines and emotional tone

The song begins with a moment of intimate connection as Jisoo sings, "Time is standing still and I don't want to leave your lips / Tracing my body with your fingertips". Zayn responds with caution: "I know what you're feeling and I know you want to say it / I do too, but we gotta be patient". This initial exchange establishes a sensual yet hesitant atmosphere where time seems to freeze in their embrace.

Recurring themes of love and past pain

Throughout the track, the pre-chorus acknowledges relationship obstacles: "'Cause someone like me and someone like you / Really shouldn't work, yeah, the history is proof". This reveals their shared emotional baggage and hesitation about moving forward. The line "Damned if I don't, damned if I do" perfectly captures their internal struggle between fear and desire.

The meaning behind 'fall in love with our eyes closed'

The chorus delivers the song's core message: letting go of past relationships to embrace new love. "Better if we keep it where we don't know / The beds we've been in, the names and the faces of who we were with" suggests setting aside past experiences. Ultimately, "The past can't hurt us if we don't look" becomes their mantra for healing through new love.

Inside the music video: visual storytelling

The visual narrative of the "Eyes Closed" music video transports viewers into an intergalactic dreamscape where love unfolds among the stars. Unlike traditional music videos, this celestial journey creates a perfect visual metaphor for the song's emotional depth.

Cosmic and space-inspired visuals

Set within a sleek spaceship with metallic walls and soft lighting, the video features both artists awakening from suspended animation. Throughout the dreamy sequence, they float through cosmic surroundings, eventually drifting past Saturn. The creative team crafted an otherworldly atmosphere that appears simultaneously dark, intoxicating, and visually stunning. This intergalactic setting effectively visualizes two space travelers discovering each other across the universe.

Symbolism of floating and orbiting

Within this zero-gravity environment, Jisoo and Zayn initially drift alone, representing their separate journeys before connection. As the story unfolds, they finally discover each other mid-orbit - a powerful visual metaphor for finding love unexpectedly. The choreographed floating movements create a sense of destiny as they harmonize together while zooming toward Saturn.

Matching outfits and visual chemistry

Though filmed separately, their visual chemistry shines through coordinated styling. Jisoo appears in a sculptural black leather dress while Zayn complements her in an all-black ensemble with a sophisticated leather jacket. This synchronized aesthetic enhances their cosmic connection despite physical distance, proving sometimes the most powerful chemistry transcends space itself.

Production, credits, and behind-the-scenes

Behind every great song stands a powerhouse team of creators, as evidenced by the impressive roster assembled for "EYES CLOSED." The track's polished sound reflects the expertise of its production team.

Who wrote and produced the song

The dreamy pop ballad emerged from a collaborative effort of Grammy-nominated talent. Produced by Isaiah Tejada, The Monsters & Strangerz, and Alex Hope, the song showcases a meticulously crafted blend of warm keys, acoustic guitar, bass synth, and atmospheric elements. The writing credits read like an industry all-star team, with Jisoo herself contributing alongside Kiddo A.I., Alex Hope, Isaiah Tejada, Jordan K. Johnson, Mikky Ekko, Dark Waves, and Stefan Johnson. Notably, this creative team has previously crafted hits for major artists including Ariana Grande, Halsey, and The Weeknd.

Jisoo's first English-language single

"EYES CLOSED" marks a significant milestone as Jisoo's first official English-language single. Moreover, it represents her first new music release since her extended play "Amortage" from February. By participating in the lyric writing process, Jisoo demonstrates her growth as an artist who not only performs but also helps shape the narrative of her music.

Zayn's past collaborations and how this compares

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Zayn has historically been selective about collaborative projects. Consequently, this partnership represents an unusual creative direction for the former One Direction member, particularly as he prepares for his upcoming seven-show Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM beginning January 20.