BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars have set a new YouTube record with their collaborative hit APT., which became the fastest music video by an Asian artist to surpass 1.5 billion views. The milestone was achieved on April 20, 2025, just 184 days after its release on October 18, 2024. This achievement cements the track’s status as a global phenomenon, breaking previous records held by iconic songs like PSY’s Gangnam Style.
The music video reached 1.5 billion views at approximately 8 p.m. KST, tying with J Balvin and Willy William’s Mi Gente as the third-fastest video in YouTube history to hit this mark. Only Luis Fonsi’s Despacito and Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You achieved the feat faster. APT. had already broken records for fastest Asian act to reach 1 billion and 1.4 billion views, demonstrating its unstoppable momentum.
The Global Impact of APT.
APT. serves as the lead single from Rosé’s debut solo album, Rosie, and marks her first major release since leaving YG Entertainment for The Black Label in 2023. The song blends pop, pop-punk, and new wave influences, with a chorus inspired by a Korean drinking game called apateu (apartment). Rosé shared the story behind the track:
“APT is actually my favourite 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 catchy rhythm and cross-cultural appeal helped it dominate charts worldwide. It spent 12 weeks atop the Billboard Global 200, peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and became the first Western act in 11 years to top the Billboard Japan Hot 100.
Breaking Down the Records
APT. has been a record-breaking force since its release:
Fastest K-pop MV to 500 million views (48 days)
Fastest Asian MV to 1 billion views (105 days)
Fastest Asian MV to 1.4 billion views (164 days)
Fastest Asian MV to 1.5 billion views (184 days)
The music video, directed by Bruno Mars and Daniel Ramos, features Rosé and Mars as a garage band in matching black leather jackets against a pink-themed set. Its high-energy visuals and playful concept contributed to its viral success.
Fan Reactions
Music critics praised APT. for its innovative sound and cultural crossover. NME gave it a 5/5, calling it “a luminous banger that fizzes with playful energy”. Meanwhile, Vogue highlighted the “vocal harmony between Rosé and Bruno Mars”, dubbing it a “pop-punk delight”.
Fans worldwide celebrated the record on social media, with many calling it “a new era for K-pop collaborations”. The track’s success also reinforced Rosé’s solo career, following her previous hits On the Groundand Gone.
Bruno Mars, fresh off his 16th Grammy win for Die With a Smile with Lady Gaga, continues to dominate the charts. APT. marks his second major collaboration of 2024, further solidifying his reputation as a hitmaker.
With Rosie now released and APT. still climbing, Rosé is expected to announce a world tour. Bruno Mars, meanwhile, is preparing for his upcoming singleFat Juicy & Wet with Sexyy Red, which already debuted at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.
