• BLACKPINK's Rosé and Bruno Mars' "APT." Hits 100 Million Streams on Spotify in Just 7 Days

    BLACKPINK's Rosé and Bruno Mars have reached an impressive milestone! Their duet song "APT." has achieved 100 million streams on Spotify just one week after its release. On the 25th, Rosé's agency, The Black Label, confirmed this exciting news.

    "Apt." was released on November 18 as a pre-release single for Rosé's upcoming full-length album, rosie, set to drop on December 6. This track made history by becoming the fastest song for a K-pop female solo artist to reach 100 million streams and the second-fastest overall among K-pop artists!

    The song quickly took over the real-time and daily charts on popular music sites in Korea like Melon, Genie, Bugs, and Vibe, achieving a "PAK" (Perfect All Kill).

    It also claimed the top spot on Spotify's U.S. chart and dominated the iTunes charts in 40 different regions, proving to be a global hit!

    Additionally, "APT." hit number one on QQ Music, China's biggest music platform, showing its popularity not just in Korea but across the Americas and Asia.

    With this achievement, Rosé became the first female solo artist from Korea to top the U.S. Spotify chart and the global Spotify Top Songs chart.

    The music video for "APT.," featuring Bruno Mars, caught a lot of attention with its fun visuals. It reached over 25 million views within just 24 hours and hit 100 million views in five days! The video consistently topped trending lists in both South Korea and the United States, showcasing its strong impact on the global music scene.

    "Apt." is inspired by the Korean game "Apartment Game," which Rosé loves. She shared, "The 'Apartment Game' is one of my favorite games; it’s simple, fun, and perfect for lifting the mood. One night in the studio, I taught the staff how to play the game, and seeing everyone enjoy it inspired me to start working on the song, which was completed when Bruno Mars joined in."

    Rosé's upcoming album, rosie, will feature a total of 12 tracks, including the title song. Rosé was heavily involved in writing and composing all the songs on the album, sharing her personal stories in a more honest and intimate way. Fans can't wait to hear it!

    Source (1)

  • Lee Kyung Gyu secretly helped Hong Jin Kyung debut on TV and she didn’t even know for years

    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!

    Source: [1]