BLACKPINK's Rosé made history for K-pop by winning Song of the Year for her collaborative hit "APT." with Bruno Mars at the MTV Video Music Awards held on September 7 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. This marked the first time a K-pop artist has claimed this prestigious category at the VMAs, representing a groundbreaking moment for Korean popular music on the global stage.
Taking the stage in a stunning gold-colored dress, Rosé delivered an emotional acceptance speech where she expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her collaboration partner. "Thank you so much for believing in me and helping me build this world together," she said, addressing Bruno Mars. The South Korean artist reflected on the personal significance of her achievement, calling it "a really big moment for 16-year-old me and anyone else who has dreamed of being accepted equally for their hard work."
Rosé emphasized the collective effort behind her success, stating, "I accept this award proudly because it has come with the hard work and discipline of my extremely hardworking team." The track "APT.," which drew inspiration from a popular Korean drinking game, was released in October of the previous year and demonstrated remarkable staying power on international charts. The song maintained its position on Billboard's main singles chart, the Hot 100, for an impressive 45 consecutive weeks.
The night proved to be exceptionally successful for BLACKPINK as a whole, with the group also taking home the award for Best Group. This meant Rosé celebrated two victories at the ceremony, further cementing the group's international recognition. Fellow BLACKPINK member Lisa also secured a win, claiming the Best K-Pop category for her song "Born Again," a collaboration with American singer Doja Cat and British singer-songwriter Raye.
The VMAs also highlighted the growing influence of K-pop beyond traditional South Korean acts, with Katseye, an international K-pop girl group featuring members of various nationalities, winning Push Performance of the Year for their song "Touch." These multiple wins across different categories underscore the expanding global reach and acceptance of K-pop music in mainstream Western entertainment awards shows.
