Zico Returns with a Vibrant Cross-Cultural ‘Duet’

Zico is back with his new song “Duet,” teaming up with solo artist Lilas, also the vocalist of popular Japanese duo Yoasobi, where she goes by Ikura. This collaboration is a fusion of contrasting styles, where Zico’s Korean hip-hop meets Lilas’s J-pop sensibilities, resulting in a sound that feels familiar yet refreshingly new all at once. It’s this quirkiness and joie de vivre that gives “Duet” its charm, a joyous pairing of music and movement.

The song’s genesis was a simple question — what if they recorded a duet together? The answer is a resounding yes. The track wins in its differences — Zico’s rapping and Lilas’s vocals create a distinct harmony, giving its upbeat sound some serious oomph. Lilas adds to the effect with her signature, vibrant, high-energy Yoasobi spark, as Zico’s relaxed flow glides over Japanese-Korean lyrics, giving the linguistic medley an extra cool factor.

The music video is a visual expression of the song’s playful character, where Zico and Lilas ignite a dance frenzy on a mundane day, which spreads like wildfire. Classrooms, offices, streets — no space is off-limits, and everyone’s suddenly moving, especially the kids, showing everyone how to let loose. Filmed in Japan, the video injects a simple message into Zico’s global vibe and sound: that music is a universal language and can turn ordinary moments into something unexpectedly fun.

The lyrics capture the essence, “It’s stuck in my head/A melody we build together/A magic that gets hotter as we sing…” highlighting the magic of artists from different cultures coming together. The song’s main highlight is its mix of K-pop, J-pop, and Korean hip-hop, which is as global as it is uniquely Asian.

Zico, the popular South Korean rapper, record producer, and singer-songwriter, known for hits like “Summer Hate,” “Human,” and “Any Song,” has consistently looked to push beyond — from working with Mino on “Okey Dokey” to collaborating with Jennie (of Blackpink) on “Spot!” And with his new collaboration, he continues to innovate and experiment while also exploring impact through a cross-border collaboration, and we’re here for it.