Blackpink's ROSE Wins MTV VMA "Song of the Year" with "APT.," First-Ever for K-pop

ROSE Makes History with "Song of the Year" Win at MTV VMA
Lisa Earns "Best K-pop" Honors, All Blackpink Members Nominated

Rozy is speaking on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards held at UBS Arena in New York, USA, on the 7th (local time). Photo by AFP and Yonhap News Agency

ROSE of Blackpink won the "Song of the Year" award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (MTV VMA) for "APT.," her collaboration with pop star Bruno Mars. This marks the first time a K-pop artist has received this honor in this category.

At the awards ceremony held at UBS Arena in New York, USA, on the 7th (local time), ROSE said, "I can't believe it," and added, "First and foremost, I want to thank Bruno Mars for believing in me and supporting me. I am happy because this is a moment that rewards all the hard work we have put in." She continued in Korean, "Teddy oppa, I won an award. Blackpink members, I won an award. Thank you always, and I love you."

Previously, BTS was nominated in the same category in 2021 with "Dynamite," but did not win.

This year, ROSE set a record for the most nominations ever received by a K-pop artist at the VMA, with a total of eight nominations. "APT." was nominated for "Song of the Year," "Video of the Year," "Best Pop," and "Best Collaboration," while the title track "Toxic Til the End" from her first solo studio album "Rosie" was nominated for "Best K-pop." It is also the first time a K-pop artist has been nominated for "Video of the Year."

Image of the single "APT." released in collaboration between ROSE and Bruno Mars. Photo by Love Black Label

The other members of Blackpink also stood out. Lisa received the "Best K-pop" award for "Born Again," her collaboration with Doja Cat and Ray. This marks her second consecutive win and third overall in this category, following "Lalisa" in 2022 and "NEW WOMAN" in 2024. In this category, Jennie was nominated with "Like Jennie," and Jisoo with "Earthquake," meaning all members were nominated.

In the "Video of the Year" category, ROSE and Bruno Mars's "APT." competed alongside Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and The Weeknd. In the K-pop category, "Whiplash" by aespa, "Who" by BTS's Jimin, and "Chk Chk Boom" by Stray Kids were also nominated.

The MTV VMA is considered one of the four major popular music awards in the United States, alongside the Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.