BLACKPINK’s Rose becomes first K-Pop idol to win Brit Award

In a landmark moment for Korean pop music, BLACKPINK’s Rosé etched her name into BRIT Awards history by securing the International Song of the Year title at the 46th edition of the ceremony. The event took place at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on Saturday, where she emerged as the first K-pop performer ever to win a competitive award at the prestigious British music show. Her triumph came through APT., a high-profile collaboration with global pop star Bruno Mars that captured worldwide attention.

Although K-pop artists have previously earned nominations at the BRITs, none had managed to claim a trophy until now. BTS had been recognized with nominations in the International Group of the Year category in both 2021 and 2022. BLACKPINK followed with a nomination in 2023, reflecting the genre’s growing international presence. In 2024, Korean DJ Peggy Gou was shortlisted in the International Song of the Year category but did not secure the win. Rosé’s achievement therefore marks a breakthrough moment, signaling a new level of acceptance and recognition for K-pop within the Western music establishment.

Released in October 2024, APT. quickly demonstrated remarkable staying power on global charts, especially in Western markets where K-pop songs have traditionally faced barriers. The track remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive 45 weeks, setting a new longevity record for a K-pop release. It climbed as high as No. 3 on the chart, underscoring its broad mainstream appeal. Beyond its BRIT Awards success, the single collected major accolades across the industry. It earned Song of the Year honors at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards and secured Grammy nominations in the prestigious Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories. The track also dominated the IFPI Global Singles Chart, making Rosé the first K-pop artist and the first musician from outside North America and Europe to top the ranking.


The title APT. draws inspiration from a popular Korean party game and features on Rosé’s debut solo album, Rosie. The BRIT Awards organization hailed the track as a record-shattering and top-selling global single of 2025, cementing its status as a defining pop anthem of the year.