BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars are making waves with their new duet APT.

Released on October 18, Rosé's latest single, APT. (Rosé & Bruno Mars), has taken the music world by storm. This song, which is a pre-release single for her upcoming full-length album rosie set to drop on December 6, is already breaking records.

APT. quickly achieved a "Perfect All-Kill" (PAK) on Korean music charts, dominating the real-time, daily, and Top 100 charts on platforms like Melon, Genie, Bugs, and Vibe. But that’s not all—it also topped the Spotify Global and U.S. charts, along with iTunes charts in 40 regions. Rosé even made history as the first Korean female solo artist to reach No. 1 on the U.S. Spotify chart.

The music video for APT., featuring playful and fun visuals of Rosé and Bruno Mars, is also a massive hit. It hit No. 1 on YouTube’s trending videos and trending music lists in both Korea and the U.S. In just four days, the video racked up 82 million views, quickly approaching 100 million.

Rosé shared that APT. was inspired by a popular Korean game called the "Apartment Game." She explained, “The Apartment Game is something I really love. It’s simple, fun, and great for lifting the mood. One night in the studio, I showed it to the staff, and we all had a blast. That’s when I decided to turn it into a song. Later, Bruno Mars joined in, and the song came to life.”

Rosé’s first full-length album, rosie, will feature 12 tracks, including APT., and Rosé has been involved in writing and composing all the songs. This album is expected to give fans a more personal look into her life and stories.

As BLACKPINK’s main vocalist, Rosé has already made her mark with several records. In 2021, her solo single On The Ground from the album R debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart, setting a new record for a female K-pop solo artist on the Billboard Hot 100.

In June, Rosé signed with The Black Label and Atlantic Records, further expanding her global activities. With her influence in music, beauty, and fashion, fans around the world are eagerly following her journey.

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Lee Kyung Gyu's star-making influence goes beyond Kang Ho Dong, as Hong Jin Kyung shares how he helped her kickstart her career.

On the April 24 episode of KBS 2TV’s Problem Child in House, legendary comedian Lee Kyung Gyu appeared as a guest—and a touching story from the past was revealed.

Hong Jin Kyung surprised everyone when she said, “He’s the teacher for all of us. Personally, he’s the one who helped me debut.” She even pinned a carnation flower on his chest to show her gratitude.

Lee Kyung Gyu smiled and said, “I still remember when Hong Jin Kyung walked up the stairs onto the stage for the first time.”

Hong Jin Kyung then shared her journey to becoming a star. “I joined a supermodel contest, but only the top 3 winners were noticed in broadcasting. I got a special prize, so I had no chance to be on TV."

She continued, "At first, I was just a backup for a show. But somehow, I became a regular the next week. I never knew why."

She added, "I thought the PD gave me a shot. But then one day, I randomly met Kyung Gyu sunbae, and he told me it was actually him who recommended me.”

Kim Sook asked with a smile, “So Kyung Gyu sunbae said nice things about you to the PD?”

Lee Kyung Gyu playfully replied, “Don’t say it in such a childish way,” making everyone laugh.

He then explained more seriously, “The show was Scoop TV Entertainment, and I was pretty much the main MC. When Jin Kyung showed up, I saw her determination and passion."

He added, "While others didn’t seem serious, she really stood out. I told the PD, ‘She seems unique. Why not keep her on the show?’”

Kim Jong Kook chimed in, “So if the main MC said that, doesn’t that mean you basically got her in?”

That made Lee Kyung Gyu happy. He grinned and replied, “Exactly! You speak well. Be like him!”

He added, “After that, Jin Kyung’s career took off. She started doing shows with Lee Young Ja and just kept going.”

Fans are now calling Lee Kyung Gyu not only a top MC, but also a quiet star-maker behind the scenes!

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