BLACKPINK's Rosé is on fire! After winning the 'Song of the Year' award at the 2024 Asia Artist Awards (AAA), her hit single "APT." (Apartment) has made a jaw-dropping rise on the charts, shaking things up globally!

On January 7, Rosé's "APT." surged up an astonishing 29 spots to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of January 11, 2025. This incredible rebound follows its previous position at No. 34, and now it's back in the Top 5! The song continues to make waves, not just in the U.S., but globally.

In addition to its massive rise on the Hot 100, "APT." also grabbed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Global 200 and the Global (excluding U.S.) charts, showing Rosé's immense international popularity.

Just a week earlier, on January 4, 2025, the song was at No. 34, marking its 10th consecutive week on the chart. Meanwhile, Rosé's first solo album, rosie, which features "APT.," held steady at No. 32 on the Billboard 200, despite a slight drop from the previous week.

Across the pond in the UK, "APT." jumped a whopping 26 spots to land at No. 2 on the UK Official Singles Chart, continuing its 11-week streak. The song first entered the chart at No. 4 and has been climbing ever since, now reaching its highest position.

The momentum doesn’t stop there—"APT." also took the No. 1 spot on the ARIA Singles Top 50 Chart in Australia during the first week of 2025, marking a 7-position rise from No. 8. This is a major milestone, with the song now in its 11th week on the chart!

Rosé’s success has been undeniable, and her hard work paid off when she took home the 'Song of the Year' award at the AAA 2024 held in Bangkok on December 27, 2024. In her acceptance speech, she expressed her gratitude, saying, "I’m honored and grateful to receive such a big award for 'Song of the Year' at 'AAA.' I want to thank all the staff and friends who worked hard on my first full album rosie, and most importantly, thank you to our number ones, I love you all."

"APT." is the pre-release single from Rosé's highly-anticipated album rosie, and it was inspired by the popular 'Apartment Game' in Korea. Rosé herself played a key role in producing the track, further showcasing her talents as an artist.

With all these accomplishments, it's clear that Rosé's reign is far from over—fans around the world can't wait to see what’s next!

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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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