JISOO is one of the most famous women in the world. Yet she’s a bit like the moon—known for being understated and calm, reflecting light rather than demanding attention the way the sun does through sheer, fiery spectacle. And yet the moon moves oceans. JISOO, metaphorically, sends ripples across the globe—in 2024, she generated $227 million in earned media value for fashion brands, the highest figure of any individual that year.
Just as the moon stabilizes the tilt of the Earth’s axis (without it, the planet would wobble chaotically), JISOO is often credited with holding BLACKPINK in orbit, the record-breaking band that needs no introduction. And just as the moon governs the biological rhythms of Earth’s creatures—sea turtles hatching, wolves howling in the middle of the night—JISOO’s music has set bodies in motion across the globe, including at the imaginary club envisioned for her cover shoot.
JISOO wears custom draped poplin shirt tied over a tiered satin skirt and En Fleurs drop earrings DIOR | Socks and XT-Whisper void in icy pink and black SALOMON
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Replacing the moonlight with spotlights, our cover story reenvisions the pop culture titan on her own dancefloor, where bodies move, music thumps, and everything bends toward her all-powerful gravity. Fresh off her return to acting in the K-drama Boyfriend on Demand, released this past March, and ahead of new music set to hit your ears before the end of the year, JISOO reminds us why we love her to the moon and back.
MATHIAS ROSENZWEIG: What is something you’ve learned about your voice, literally or metaphorically, in the last few years?
JISOO: I think my tone is quite unique. From the soft, low register you hear in songs like “EYES CLOSED” to the more explosive style in “GO”, I feel like my voice allows me to try many different things. Just like the spectrum of my voice, I think my personality also has many different sides rather than one very dominant trait. I try to listen carefully to the inner voice that guides me in each moment, and live without regrets.
MR: Our concept for this shoot was “Club JISOO”. Imagine you are opening your own party. Besides great music and fun people, what would this party include? Who would you want to be there on opening night?
J: To be honest, I usually prefer resting quietly rather than going to parties (laughs). But if I were to host one, I’d love to spend time with the family and friends who mean the most to me. It might be fun to ask everyone to send me a song they love and play everyone’s playlist during the party. In the same context, a potluck where everyone brings their favorite dish would be really fun too.
From left to right:
Go Junkyu wears sneakers SALOMON | Ray-Ban x A$AP Rocky mega balorama blacked out collection sunglasses RAY-BAN | Talent’s own clothing and jewelry
Gim Geumone wears cropped sleeveless hooded top EMPORIO ARMANI | Zebra print skirt MOSCHINO | Talent’s own jewelry
Lee Juhyun wears eye jacket redux Latitude Collection sunglasses OAKLEY | Talent’s own clothing and jewelry
MR: What song would you play at your imaginary party every night?
J: I think BLACKPINK songs are perfect for parties—they’re really exciting! It’s not just because they’re our songs. When we perform them, the energy always goes up, and it feels like we’re all at a big party together.
MR: If you wrote a book about your life, what would you title it? What would be some of the important chapters?
J: “Going with the Flow.” It doesn’t mean living without thinking or simply drifting along. Rather, I think I’ve always tried to stay true to who I am in each moment and pursue the things I genuinely like. As for the most important chapter, it would probably be 2016, when my life completely changed with my debut as part of BLACKPINK.
MR: What do you often find yourself dreaming about at night? And what do you daydream about during the day?
J: During the day, I think quite practically about how I’ll spend my time. I’ll think about what I need to do, what time I’ll get home, and how I might spend the rest of the evening once I’m back. At night, though, my mind tends to wander more. I find myself imagining different possibilities, like, “What if things had turned out this way?”
MR: When you’re acting, what does that allow you to enjoy that perhaps music does not?
JISOO wears custom draped poplin shirt tied over a tiered satin skirt and En Fleurs drop earrings DIOR | Socks and XT-Whisper void in icy pink and black SALOMON
J: What’s fascinating about acting is that you get to look into and feel the lives of so many different people. Since you step into someone else’s life, one that you’ve never personally lived, it feels like discovering a whole new world that you might not otherwise experience.
MR: In the Netflix series Boyfriend on Demand, you collaborated with multiple “virtual boyfriend” actors as an actress. What was the funniest or most memorable moment on set? And which type of “virtual boyfriend” made your heart flutter the most?
J: The airplane scene stands out to me. It’s such a dynamic situation that wouldn’t really happen often in real life, so while filming, I kept imagining what I would actually do if I found myself in that situation. That made the scene really fun to shoot.
MR: How would you describe your relationship with fashion? Do you see clothing as armor, expression, or play?
J: I don’t think I have one specific fashion image that I’m trying to pursue. I’m quite free in that sense, and I think fashion reflects that part of my personality. I enjoy both sides: dressing up in a polished way, and also wearing something more relaxed and comfortable.
MR: You carry lots of expectations from fans and the industry. What helps you stay steady in moments that feel overwhelming?
J: Of course, receiving so much attention and expectation can sometimes feel like pressure. But I try not to worry about it too much and remind myself that it’s enough to simply be true to who I am. That’s my way of protecting myself. Instead of spending time worrying, I try to focus on living each day fully.
From left to right:
Go Junkyu wears sneakers SALOMON / Talent’s own clothing and jewelry
Han Dongyun wears sneakers SALOMON / Talent’s own clothing and jewelry
Lee Juhyun wears eye jacket redux Latitude Collection OAKLEY / Talent’s own clothing and belt
Cheonri wears spotlight long sleeve top FLEUR DU MAL / Leather wide leg pant GUESS / Ray-Ban x A$AP Rocky ultra wrap 001 next generation sunglasses RAY-BAN
MR: What do you think people will understand about JISOO ten years from now that they don’t fully understand yet?
J: They might realize that I’m actually more of a free spirit than they expected.
MR: You are currently working on a new solo album this year! What types of sounds, themes, vibes, etc. are you exploring for your new era?
J: Since I’m preparing a full-length album this time, I’m working on showing a wider range of music. I think I’d be really happy if people listen to this album and say they discovered a new side of me.
This cover story is featured in V160: now available for purchase!
Photography Alvaro Beamud Cortès
Fashion Anna Trevelyan
On Set Stylist Jaryoung Choi
Creative Direction / Editor-in-Chief Stephen Gan
Hair Lee Hye Young (Agency Garten)
Makeup Lee Nakyeum (Brixx)
Manicure Park Eunkyung (Co-Op)
Background Dancers Park Hyunbin (Gost), Woo Taeyang, Go Junkyu, Han Dongyun (J Model), Cheonri (Legacy Agency), Lee Kun (Arche Models), Lee Hyein, Lee Juhyun, Min Donghan, Gim Geumone, Kim Ryunhyeon
Fashion (For Dancers) Damien Lloyd
Hair (For Dancers) Semin park, Minjeong Kim
Makeup (For Dancers) Youmin Kim, Suhyeon An, Hyunbeen Han
Production Designer Mingyu Jeon
Cinematographer Simone Triacca
Movement Director Marly Phillips Nicol
Executive Producer Kelly Suh
Producer Indigo Choi
Production Assistants Alexandro Kim, Woojin Noh, Seongwon Jeong Gaffer Byungjoo Park
Lighting Assistants Jongwon Jeon, Yeongjae Kim, Gyeongman Lee, Junjae Heo, Minjae Seo, Moonsuk Jung, Jaehong Park
Digital Technician Hayoung Yang
Fashion Assistants Damien Lloyd, Jihyun Lim, Jiyeon Sim
Set Design Assistants Yunjae Zo, Hyunbin Park, Yuhyeon Hong, Serin Moon, Jiwon Lee, Seongyong Yang, Junyoung Park