BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars have achieved a major milestone with their collaborative track ‘Apt.’ debuting at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts. This marks Rosé’s second solo No. 1 on both charts, following her 2021 hit ‘On the Ground’, and solidifies her position as a leading force in K-pop.
‘Apt.’ has made a significant impact on the charts, boasting impressive streaming and sales figures. As reported by Billboard, ‘Apt.’ arrives atop the Global 200 with a staggering 224.5 million streams, as well as 29,000 sold, worldwide through Oct. 24. The song claims the second-biggest streaming week since the Global 200 began.” This incredible achievement places ‘Apt.’ amongst the top streaming weeks of all time, alongside hits like BTS’s ‘Butter’ and Miley Cyrus’s ‘Flowers.’
The song’s success extends beyond the Billboard charts, with Rosé making history in the UK as well. According to the Official Charts Company, “BLACKPINK’s ROSÉ becomes UK’s highest-charting female K-pop solo artist with ‘APT.'” This achievement further underscores the song’s global appeal and Rosé’s growing influence in the music industry.
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‘APT.’ has been praised for its catchy melody and relatable theme, drawing inspiration from Korean drinking culture and a popular game known as “the apartment game.” Rosé explained the inspiration behind the song: “‘APT.’ is actually my favorite Korean drinking game that I play with my friends back home. It’s so simple, puts a smile on your face and breaks the ice at any party. One night in the studio, I taught my crew how to play the game.”
“Everyone was fascinated, especially when I started the chant, so we played around with it and I said we should make a song out of it and, after Bruno joined the track, the rest became history!”
The song’s success has been attributed to its catchy hook and broad appeal, with music critics describing it as “intuitive” and “ear-catching.” Music critic Lim Hee-yun noted, ““The song feels incredibly catchy, almost as if it were designed to be an instant hit. The word ‘a-par-teu’ repeats in a way that feels ear-catching, with a strong hook. The melody that follows is simple yet familiar, giving it a wide mainstream appeal.”
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With its record-breaking performance and widespread acclaim, ‘APT.’ signals a new era for K-pop’s global impact, demonstrating the genre’s ability to transcend cultural boundaries and resonate with audiences worldwide.
