JISOO is one of the most well-known stars in the 21st century. Yet, there’s an undeniable warmth and approachability to the singer-actor that is truly disarming. JISOO’s soft, eye-crinkling smile is refreshingly genuine — she has the kind of smile that makes you want to smile right back. Whether she’s performing on stage for thousands of adoring fans or simply interacting with the crew on the set of her Vogue Hong Kong cover shoot, JISOO has the ability to light up the room with her infectious joy that seems to emanate from deep within. Her radiant positivity has inspired her new label, ‘BLISSOO’, a play on her name and the word “bliss”, symbolising her embodiment of happiness. 

In a world that often feels overwhelmingly complex and fast-paced, the pursuit of happiness can seem like an elusive goal. But for JISOO, the doorway to true bliss already lies within each of us. “A big part of how we experience situations depends on our own perspective,” she muses. “So in my own life, I try to pay more attention to how I feel, to love and take care of myself, and eventually find happiness in every situation.” As she flips open a new chapter in life, JISOO is focusing on what really matters: finding joy in being true to herself, and spreading her happiness to the world.

This is your first time gracing the cover of Vogue Hong Kong. How do you feel? Can you share your favourite memory from the Vogue Hong Kong photoshoot? 

I particularly remember the very first shot we took. Since it was my first time working with Vogue Hong Kong, I wanted to show a fresh side of myself, and I think we managed to capture it well—that’s why I’m looking forward to seeing this cover even more! Through these images, I also hope you all can feel the synergy between myself and Vogue Hong Kong.

You visited Hong Kong on a world tour last year. Did you get to try any Hong Kong food or visit any landmarks? If yes, which food or activity was your favourite? 

I performed in Hong Kong for three days, and the day after our concert happened to be Jennie’s birthday, so we had a birthday party with the fans on stage. Hong Kong was an impressively memorable city in many ways, even though I couldn’t go sightseeing much. During my time in Hong Kong, our staff prepared food from various famous Hong Kong restaurants for us, so I was able to taste a variety of local dishes. One night after our concert, Lisa and I ate at a well-known seafood restaurant together, and it was really delicious!

You are flipping open a new chapter of your life and will be turning 30 next year. How would you say you’ve grown as a person and an artist? If you could say something to 21-year-old JISOO, who just debuted, what would you say? 

Since my debut, both Kim Ji-soo the individual and JISOO the artist have grown through strong teamwork and mutual support. They’ve clearly prioritised important aspects of both their personal and professional lives. So, I don’t think there are any words in particular I want to say to my past debut-era self. No matter what advice I might give, I’m confident that she would believe in herself and make choices with conviction, just as she always has.