'APT.' Hits No. 2 on UK Chart, Setting New K-pop Record

Nov 02, 2024

'APT.' Hits No. 2 on UK Chart, Setting New K-pop Record



BLACKPINK Rosé's duet song "'APT.' with pop star Bruno Mars is drawing significant attention as it ranked second on the UK's Official Singles Chart, Top 100.

With this achievement, Rosé has once again demonstrated her global popularity, securing the highest rank for a K-pop female artist on the UK singles chart. On the latest chart released on the 1st (local time), 'APT.' came in second, just behind Gigi Perez's 'Sailor Song.' Since debuting at fourth place on October 25th, 'APT.' has steadily climbed but settled for second this week. Psy’s 'Gangnam Style' remains the only K-pop song to top the UK singles chart, achieving this feat in 2012.





'APT.' draws inspiration from a traditional Korean drinking game and features repetitive choruses with an upbeat band sound. It is a pre-release track from Rosé's first solo studio album 'rosie,' loved globally for its accessible, catchy tune. The song also reached #8 on Billboard’s Hot 100, while its music video surpassed 200 million views on YouTube within 11 days of release.

A viral trend on social media platforms like TikTok, where fans attempt the Korean pronunciation of 'APT.' and share their videos, has helped propel the song's global popularity. Thanks to this response, analysts predict 'APT.' could continue to climb on the UK chart. If it reaches #1, Rosé would be the first K-pop artist to top both the UK singles and album charts.



Prominent music critic Kim Young-dae commented, "Reaching second place is a remarkable achievement on its own, given the complexity of chart rankings." He added, "Rosé's 'APT.' has the potential to enjoy sustained popularity beyond initial fandom-driven interest."

Meanwhile, BTS’ Jin entered the chart at #44 with his new song "I'll Be There," while BTS’ Jimin secured #50 for the 15th consecutive week with "Who," the title track from his second solo album. BLACKPINK’s Jennie also saw success, with her solo track 'Mantra' reaching #67, confirming the continued strong presence of K-pop artists on the global music scene.


mj.cho@sportschosun.com