(ANN/KOREA HERALD) – Rose’s latest single, “Apt.,” featuring Bruno Mars, is taking the world by storm, dominating global streaming charts and setting new records for a K-pop female solo artist. Described as “intuitive” and “catchy” by critics, the track’s appeal extends across generations.
On Friday, Rose’s agency, The Black Label, announced that “Apt.” surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify within a week, marking the fastest achievement for any female K-pop soloist and the second fastest overall, following BTS’s Jungkook.
Inspired by Korea’s “Apartment Game,” Rose shared that the track began after she introduced the game to her studio team, later collaborating with Mars to complete the song. The visually dynamic music video, which also features Mars, quickly reached 25 million views within 24 hours, climbing to 100 million views in just five days. It now leads South Korea’s trending videos and ranks high on YouTube’s US music chart.
Music critics praise “Apt.” for its strong hook and familiar melody, which resonate widely. “The repetitive ‘a-par-teu’ phrase captures listeners immediately,” noted critic Lim Hee-yun, while Cha Woo-jin highlighted the song’s instant appeal. Both predict that “Apt.” will make a significant mark in K-pop history, drawing comparisons to the cross-generational popularity of Psy’s “Gangnam Style.”
The track, released through Atlantic Records, benefits from the label’s influence in securing Mars and a sample from Toni Basil’s “Mickey,” enhancing its crossover appeal. Rose’s collaboration with Mars exemplifies Atlantic’s commitment to broadening her audience reach.
With its success on Korea’s Melon, Genie, Bugs, and Vibe charts, and its ascent to No. 1 on Spotify’s Top 50 in the USA, “Apt.” has made waves far beyond Asia, ranking atop iTunes in over 40 regions. Rose also made history as the first K-pop female solo artist to top Spotify’s US and Global Top Songs charts.
The single sets the stage for Rose’s upcoming full-length album, Rosie, due Dec. 6, which will feature 12 tracks, including “Apt.” and other original compositions, giving fans a deeper look into her musical journey.
