Rosé, a member of the globally renowned K-pop group BLACKPINK, made history on Sunday night at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards by becoming the first K-pop artist to win Song of the Year. The prestigious award recognized "APT.," her collaborative single with American superstar Bruno Mars, marking a groundbreaking achievement for Korean pop music on one of America's most prominent music award stages.
The MTV Video Music Awards, widely regarded as one of the most influential pop music award ceremonies in the United States, held its 2025 edition at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. While Bruno Mars was unable to attend the ceremony, Rosé gracefully accepted the award on behalf of both artists, making a stunning appearance in a dazzling yellow sequined fringe dress that captured the attention of audiences worldwide.
During her heartfelt acceptance speech delivered in fluent English, an emotional Rosé expressed her disbelief at the historic win. "Oh, my gosh, I can't believe this," she said, addressing the star-studded audience. "First of all, thank you so much, Bruno... Thank you so much for believing in me and helping me build this world together." Her words reflected the collaborative spirit that made "APT." such a remarkable cross-cultural musical achievement.
The BLACKPINK member used the moment to pay tribute to her journey as an artist, dedicating the award to her "16-year-old self, who dreamed, and to all those who have watched me grow into the artist that I am today." She also extended special gratitude to her agency's chief producer Teddy and her fellow BLACKPINK members, acknowledging the support system that helped shape her career.
Rosé's success at the 2025 VMAs was particularly notable given her impressive eight nominations across various categories, including major honors such as Video of the Year and Best Pop. Her multiple nominations demonstrated the widespread recognition of her artistic achievements and the global impact of her collaboration with Bruno Mars.
The evening proved to be a celebration of BLACKPINK's continued dominance in the international music scene, as Rosé's fellow group member Lisa also claimed victory in the Best K-Pop category. Lisa won for "Born Again," her collaboration with Doja Cat and Raye, marking her second consecutive win and third overall triumph in the category. This dual success highlighted BLACKPINK's individual members' ability to excel both as a group and in their solo endeavors.
The historic nature of Rosé's Song of the Year win cannot be overstated, as it represents a significant milestone for K-pop's recognition in mainstream American music awards. The achievement comes at a time when Korean popular culture continues to gain unprecedented global influence, and Rosé's victory serves as a testament to the genre's artistic merit and commercial appeal on the world stage.
