1. Introduction
On October 18, 2024, BLACKPINK's Rosé released the single 'APT.' in collaboration with American pop star Bruno Mars, causing a global sensation. Inspired by a Korean drinking game, this song quickly topped both the global and U.S. Spotify charts within days of its release. In this blog post, we'll explore how 'APT.' captured the hearts of fans worldwide.
2. 'APT.' Reaches New Heights
In just four days, 'APT.' climbed to the top of both the Spotify Global and U.S. charts, marking a new milestone for K-pop. Rosé has become the first female Korean solo artist to top the U.S. Spotify chart. Additionally, the music video hit 100 million views on YouTube within just five days of its release, demonstrating its widespread appeal.
3. 'APT.' Inspired by a Korean Drinking Game
The song 'APT.' draws inspiration from a popular Korean drinking game. In an interview, Rosé explained, "I’ve always liked the APT. game, and I thought it would be fun to incorporate it into a song." The game involves players chanting "APT." while moving their hands up and down, which is mirrored in the melody and lyrics of the song. Bruno Mars also sings the Korean words "건배, 건배" (cheers, cheers) and waves the Korean flag in the music video, highlighting elements of Korean culture. The blending of Korean subcultures into a global context is being embraced by fans everywhere.
4. Catchy Melody and Global Fan Reaction
The catchy melody and repetitive tune of 'APT.' have garnered widespread attention from fans around the world. On social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, videos of people singing along or reenacting the 'APT.' game are constantly being uploaded. In one viral video, club-goers in Germany sing 'APT.' together, and at a Bruno Mars concert in Brazil, the crowd chants "APT." in unison. Even Grammy-winning artist Charlie Puth posted a video on TikTok practicing the pronunciation of "APT.," humorously stating that the word would be "stuck in his head forever."
5. 'APT.': From Simple Adverb to Global Hit
While the word "APT." sounds like the English word "apart," in Korea, it refers to an apartment building. This unique Konglish expression has piqued the curiosity of non-Korean speakers, and many have shared videos attempting to pronounce the word. Rosé even responded to a fan who asked if "APT." means "apartment" by saying, "No, it’s 'apatue!'"
6. Conclusion
BLACKPINK's Rosé and Bruno Mars' 'APT.' is a perfect blend of fun, catchy melodies, and Korean drinking culture, taking the global K-pop phenomenon to new heights. With its humor and uniqueness, the song has set yet another milestone in K-pop's global expansion. Fans around the world are eagerly watching to see how much further 'APT.' will go.
7. FAQ
Q: What is the 'APT.' game? A: It is a simple Korean drinking game where players chant "APT." while moving their hands up and down. Q: How is Korean culture expressed in the song 'APT.'? A: The song mentions the "cheers" culture (소맥) and reenacts the APT. game in the music video, blending elements of Korean drinking culture into a global context.