Ranked No.1 on Major Domestic Music Platforms Including Melon
YouTube Views Surpass 50 Million
BLACKPINK's Ros?'s new song "Apartment" is receiving a hot response on music charts both domestically and globally.
On the 18th, Ros? released the new single "Apartment" (APT.) along with its music video. This track was pre-released ahead of her full-length album comeback scheduled for December 6, and it gained attention for its collaboration with world-renowned musician Bruno Mars. It has caused a sensation by topping domestic music charts just one day after its release.
"Apartment" entered the top ranks of the Melon Chart Top 100 on the day of its release and quickly rose to number one on the 19th, surpassing Karina (aespa)'s "Up" and DAY6's "Happy." On its second day, it dominated not only the Melon Chart but also multiple other charts such as Genie, Flo, and Bugs.
The music video featuring Ros? and Bruno Mars is also gaining immense popularity. Released alongside the song on the 18th, the music video recorded 24 million views within 23 hours on YouTube. As of 6 p.m. on the 20th, it has surpassed 55.44 million views and is rapidly approaching 60 million views.
The music video draws attention with scenes of Ros? and Bruno Mars alternating playing drums and guitar, as well as Bruno Mars waving the Taegeukgi (South Korean flag).
The global chart response is also remarkable. Ros?'s "Apartment" debuted at number 3 on Spotify's "Daily Top Songs" global chart and number 11 in the United States on the day of release. This is the highest entry ranking for a K-pop solo female artist.
"Apartment" is inspired by the widely known "Apartment Game" in Korea. Ros? said, "'Apartment Game' is a game I really like; it’s simple, fun, and perfect for lifting the mood. One night in the studio, I taught the staff working with me how to play the game, and we all enjoyed it together. That’s when I started working on the song, and with Bruno Mars joining, the track was completed."
The song starts with the signature chant of the Apartment Game, "Apartment Apartment / Apartment Apartment / Apartment Apartment," and despite all the lyrics being in English, the precise pronunciation of "A Pa Teu" gives a sense of familiarity to domestic fans.
One of the song’s charms is watching the transformation from the friend who enjoys the game together, "Chaeyoung" (Ros?’s real name), to the artist "Ros?" as the song progresses.
The music video for "Apartment," directed personally by Bruno Mars, stands out with its playful vibe that harmonizes with the song’s atmosphere. The meeting of these two renowned pop stars sheds any weightiness, instead captivating viewers with a light and bouncy charm.
The two look at each other or stand side by side while dancing freely, share a single microphone and sing closely together, and sit down on the floor to enjoy their own Apartment Game. The scene where Bruno Mars waves the Taegeukgi in the middle of the music video also leaves a strong impression.
At the end of September, Ros? attended the Saint Laurent fashion show as a global ambassador and later shared on SNS how she introduced the "Apartment Game" to other attendees at the after-party, where they played together, sparking interest.
Just before the release of "Apartment," Ros? and Bruno Mars exchanged messages on SNS about the "Apartment Game," raising fans’ expectations for a collaboration. When the surprise song release actually happened, it received a warm response. Among fans, there is a playful speculation that the "Apartment Game" might become a globally popular game like "Squid Game," riding the song’s popularity.
Ros?'s "Apartment" is a track included in her first full-length album "Rosie," which will be released on December 6. The album contains a total of 12 songs, all of which Ros? participated in writing and composing.
In June, Ros? signed a management contract with The Black Label, led by producer Teddy. She also signed with Atlantic Records, a label under the global music company Warner Music Group, preparing for her global activities.
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