Jisoo, the final member of Blackpink to launch a solo career in the United States, has achieved a milestone that ties her with her bandmates and solidifies her presence on American radio. Her collaboration with Zayn, “Eyes Closed,” debuts on Billboard’s Adult Pop Airplay chart this week at number 34, earning her first solo entry on the airplay-focused ranking. The achievement follows similar breakthroughs by Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa, each of whom have made their own marks on the chart over the past two years.

A Historic Radio Debut

The Adult Pop Airplay chart measures the most played songs on radio stations across the United States that cater to an adult pop audience—a more mature, melodic version of mainstream top 40. “Eyes Closed” enters at number 34, a position that represents the beginning of what could be a longer run. The song has already climbed on the Pop Airplay chart, moving from number 38 to 33 in its second week, indicating growing momentum across different radio formats.

Jisoo’s entry is particularly significant because it marks the first time she has appeared on any Billboard radio chart as a solo artist. While Blackpink has dominated global streaming and sales rankings, radio airplay in the U.S. has historically been a tougher arena for K-pop acts. Only a handful of K-pop soloists have cracked the Adult Pop Airplay chart at all, and Jisoo now joins that exclusive club.

Zayn’s Long-Awaited Return

For Zayn, “Eyes Closed” represents a return to the Adult Pop Airplay chart after a hiatus of over seven years. His last entry was “Let Me,” which peaked at number 29 in August 2018. The former One Direction singer has five career entries on the chart, with his highest being “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” (with Taylor Swift) which climbed to number 2. Despite this being his lowest debut, the track shows signs of upward movement, and Zayn’s participation brings a cross-generational appeal that may help the song sustain longevity.

Zayn’s career has seen ups and downs since leaving One Direction, but his ability to still land radio hits—especially alongside a K-pop star—demonstrates his enduring relevance in the pop landscape. The collaboration also highlights the growing trend of Western and K-pop artists joining forces to conquer the U.S. market, a strategy that has proven successful for multiple acts.

Comparing Blackpink Members’ Solo Radio Success

Jisoo now ties with Jennie, who achieved her first Adult Pop Airplay entry earlier this year with “Handlebars,” a collaboration with Dua Lipa. That song spent just one week at number 40, making it a fleeting appearance. Jisoo’s debut at number 34 is already more promising, though it remains to be seen if “Eyes Closed” can climb higher or sustain its presence beyond a few weeks.

Rosé and Lisa have each sent three songs to the Adult Pop Airplay chart as soloists, setting the bar for Blackpink members. Rosé’s “Apt.” with Bruno Mars came closest to becoming the first number-one by a K-pop act, peaking at number 2 earlier this year. She also charted “On My Mind” with Alex Warren (number 31) and “Toxic Till the End” (number 38). Lisa broke through with “Priceless,” a collaboration with Maroon 5 that reached number 6, alongside “Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)” and “Born Again” (with Doja Cat and Raye), both of which stalled at number 38.

The disparity in chart performance among the four members reflects different strategies, song choices, and promotional efforts. Rosé’s partnership with Bruno Mars clearly gave her a massive boost, while Lisa’s team-up with Maroon 5 also paid off handsomely. Jisoo’s choice of Zayn, a respected but less consistently charting artist, may yield moderate returns—but the fact that she made any radio impact at all is a win for her fledgling solo career.

K-pop’s Broader Radio Breakthrough

Beyond Blackpink, the Adult Pop Airplay chart has seen very few K-pop tracks. The most notable exception is “Golden” from the Netflix series KPop Demon Hunters, credited to the group Huntr/x and three vocalists, including Ejae. That song reached number 5, becoming the second-highest K-pop-related entry on the chart. While it is not a traditional K-pop release—it was produced for a Western streaming show—it underscores the growing appetite for Korean-influenced pop music on American radio.

Other K-pop acts like BTS have occasionally appeared on the chart, but usually only with high-profile collaborations (e.g., “My Universe” with Coldplay reached number 9, but that was primarily a Coldplay song). Soloists from BTS have also charted, with Jung Kook’s “Standing Next to You” peaking at number 5 and Jimin’s “Who” reaching number 12, but those are exceptions rather than the rule.

The relative scarcity of K-pop radio hits highlights the challenge that Korean acts face in penetrating the U.S. airplay ecosystem. Radio programmers often prioritize English-language songs by established Western artists, and K-pop’s typical structure—mixing Korean and English lyrics, with more experimental production—can be a hard sell. However, as Blackpink members and others continue to release English-language collaborations, the barriers are slowly eroding.

The Journey of “Eyes Closed” on the Charts

“Eyes Closed” has had a mixed chart run since its release. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 72, giving Jisoo her first solo entry on the all-genre singles chart. However, it fell off the chart the following week, a common fate for songs that lack sustained streaming momentum. It also appeared on the Billboard Global 200 (peaking at number 161) and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. (number 100), but both placements are relatively low compared to other K-pop hits.

The song’s strength appears to be on radio, where it is gradually building audience impressions. The climb on the Pop Airplay chart from 38 to 33 suggests that programmers are giving it more spins, and if the trend continues, it could enter the top 30 or even higher. The Adult Pop Airplay chart is less competitive than Pop Airplay, so Jisoo may have a better chance of sustaining her position there, especially if the song resonates with older listeners.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Jisoo?

Jisoo’s solo career is still in its infancy. She released “Eyes Closed” as her debut solo single after years of being the only Blackpink member without a significant solo project in the U.S. (she had previously focused on acting and modeling). The collaboration with Zayn was a strategic move to gain immediate attention from both his fans and Western pop audiences. While the song has not yet replicated the massive streaming numbers of Rosé’s “Apt.” or Lisa’s “Priceless,” it has accomplished the primary goal of introducing her voice to American radio listeners.

Given that Blackpink’s group activities have been sporadic since the members began pursuing solo deals, it is likely that Jisoo will continue to release music independently. She has signed with a U.S. label (Warner Records) and is expected to follow up “Eyes Closed” with additional singles and perhaps an EP or album. The success of her first radio hit, even at a modest chart position, provides a foundation to build upon.

Broader Implications for K-pop and Western Radio

The fact that all four Blackpink members have now charted on the Adult Pop Airplay chart is a testament to the group’s unprecedented crossover appeal. No other K-pop act has come close to achieving this level of consistent radio success across multiple solo artists. It suggests that the fanbase for Blackpink extends beyond typical K-pop demographics, reaching older, more radio-centric listeners who may not actively stream music.

For the K-pop industry as a whole, this development is crucial. Radio airplay remains a key driver of mainstream recognition in the U.S., and seeing multiple K-pop stars—especially soloists—earn spins on adult pop stations signals a shift in acceptance. Other K-pop acts may now look to emulate the Blackpink model by releasing English-language collaborations with Western artists and targeting radio from the outset.

Meanwhile, Zayn’s involvement reinforces the value of cross-cultural partnerships. His return to the chart after years away shows that pairing a former boy band star with a rising K-pop soloist can yield fresh opportunities for both. As the music industry becomes increasingly globalized, such collaborations are likely to become even more common.

For now, Jisoo can celebrate her first solo radio hit, even as she and Zayn watch “Eyes Closed” slowly climb the charts. Whether it becomes a long-lasting staple or a brief blip, it has already made history as the latest chapter in Blackpink’s remarkable American journey.

Source: Forbes News