BLACKPINK’s JISOO is back in front of the camera for self-portrait, starring in “The Engine Room,” the second episode of the London fashion house’s four-part micro film series “Portraits of a Woman in Motion.” The short film was unveiled on November 12 on the brand’s official YouTube channel, two days after the series premiered with its first episode, “the restaurant.”
In the eight-second film, JISOO wears a cream jacquard sequin embellished mini dress paired with bleached wash denim shorts from self-portrait’s latest collection. Like the rest of the series, the episode was captured in Seoul by photographer and director Oliver Hadlee Pearch, who also shot the brand’s previous film project with the singer.
The series turns an imagined everyday setting into something surreal and accelerated. In a world that never stands still, JISOO remains calm, serene and unmistakably herself, the brand said in the film’s description. The first episode placed her in a bustling restaurant, where the world moved at a dizzying pace around her while she stayed composed in a multi-textured knit cardigan, a lilac viscose blouse with contrasting lace details and a gold sequin midi skirt.
The concept was inspired by the singer’s ability to remain grounded despite her demanding schedule and ever-changing surroundings. The series was first revealed on November 10, when Billboard exclusively reported its launch, with the opening episode arriving the same day.
Han Chong, founder and creative director of self-portrait, said the concept grew out of years of working with JISOO. “What I have noticed over the years that we have been working together, is that JISOO never changes for the room or situation she’s in. She is incredibly calm and centred - present for every interaction,” he said. He added that the project celebrates that quality by placing JISOO in fantastical environments that move around her, reflecting the brand’s philosophy of creating clothes that complement women’s lives rather than define them.
JISOO said the series reflects her own experience as a global performer. “I feel like life moves so quickly nowadays. For me, I’m constantly shifting between different cities, stages, studios and days that never look the same,” she said. “What I love about Han’s work for self-portrait is that I always feel like myself in the clothes no matter what I’m doing, and that is a very unique skill.” She added: “With this latest project, I think we managed to show this in an entertaining way - the way that our world constantly moves around us, but that there is strength in being completely and effortlessly yourself. It was a lot of fun making it!”
The new series is the second chapter of JISOO’s ongoing collaboration with self-portrait. She was unveiled as one of the fashion house’s faces in March 2024, the first time the London-based brand had tapped a musician to front its campaigns, and she has continued to represent the label on and off the stage.
The first chapter, “Portraits of a Screen Star,” arrived earlier this fall. That series swapped the traditional fashion campaign format for a set of imagined audition tapes, casting JISOO as four distinct cinematic characters across four short films, also shot in Seoul by Pearch. The first film, “The Enigma,” introduced a curious and unpredictable JISOO with a mischievous streak, while later instalments saw her go blonde for a second character and wear a pink blunt bob wig with a strong-shouldered gray sweater and belted green miniskirt for the third.
The project also continues self-portrait’s growing exploration of fashion and filmmaking. Earlier this year the brand premiered “Sandiwara,” a short film directed by Sean Baker and starring Michelle Yeoh, at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Two further episodes of “Portraits of a Woman in Motion” are still to come. The latest self-portrait collection is available now through the brand’s official website, its stores worldwide and selected retailers.
