Rose of BLACKPINK has set new benchmarks in the K-pop industry with her latest single “Apt.,” featuring pop icon Bruno Mars. Released by The Black Label, the track has rapidly dominated global streaming charts, accumulating over 100 million streams on Spotify within just seven days—an unprecedented record for a female K-pop solo artist and the second-fastest overall for a K-pop act, after BTS’s Jungkook.
Music critics have praised the song for its “intuitive” structure and infectious hook, with the repetitive “a-par-teu” chorus adding to its mainstream appeal. “It’s an instant hit,” said music critic Lim Hee-yun, emphasizing the song’s ear-catching quality that resonates with listeners across generations. Rose shared that “Apt.” was inspired by Korea’s popular “Apartment Game,” a childhood favorite that brought a playful and nostalgic tone to the song. “One night after teaching the game to the studio team, I began working on the track, and Bruno later joined to help complete the song,” Rose revealed.
The music video for “Apt.,” which features Mars and Rose in a vibrant, visually striking production, quickly gained traction, amassing 25 million views within 24 hours and surpassing 100 million views on YouTube in just five days. It topped trending charts on South Korea’s YouTube and reached No. 1 on the US trending music chart. As of Sunday, the video had already garnered over 160 million views.
Music critic Cha Woo-jin noted that the song’s catchy, repetitive nature makes it particularly memorable. “The ‘a-par-teu’ chorus has an immediate hook that sticks with you,” he said. Cha also highlighted the involvement of Atlantic Records in bringing Mars on board, as well as securing permission from Toni Basil to sample her 1982 hit “Mickey.” The partnership between The Black Label and Atlantic Records underscored the international appeal of the song, which has topped iTunes charts in over 40 regions and Spotify’s Top 50 - USA chart.
The release of “Apt.” comes ahead of Rose’s first full-length album, Rosie, set to drop on December 6. The 12-track album promises a more intimate look at Rose’s artistry, with her involvement in writing and composing each track. Rosie will feature Apt. alongside other personal tracks, offering fans insight into her journey as a solo artist.
“Apt.” has achieved an “all-kill” on South Korea’s Melon, Genie, Bugs, and Vibe charts, and it also secured top positions on China’s QQ Music and Spotify’s US and Global Top Songs charts. Beyond its record-breaking stats, the song reflects a significant moment in K-pop, marking a new level of Western collaboration that showcases Rose’s impact on the global music stage. As Cha observed, “The song might just make K-pop history, connecting across all ages in a way that’s both fun and culturally resonant.”
With Rosie soon to be released, Rose’s solo career is reaching new heights, as she continues to push boundaries and redefine K-pop’s role in global music culture.
Sayart / Sharon Jung, guhuijeong784@gmail.com
