BLACKPINK’s Rosé has done it again! Her global hit APT. with Bruno Mars has officially surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube, setting a new record.

On January 31, THEBLACKLABEL announced that Rosé’s APT. music video hit the 1 billion mark just 105 days after its release on October 18 last year. This makes her the fastest K-pop solo artist ever to reach this milestone and the fifth-fastest artist worldwide to do so!

Released as a pre-release single for her first full-length album rosie on December 6, APT. became an instant sensation. The duet between Rosé and Bruno Mars took over the charts in Korea and internationally, proving her global power.

The MV broke records from the start, hitting 100 million views in just five days, 300 million views in 22 days, and 500 million views in 47 days. These numbers made Rosé the fastest K-pop soloist in 11 years to achieve such milestones. The video also dominated YouTube’s trending lists in Korea, the U.S., and worldwide.

Even months after its release, APT. is still going strong. The song recently climbed back up the Billboard Hot 100—which was filled with holiday songs—reaching a new peak at No. 2 on January 28 (local time). It also held onto the No. 2 spot for five consecutive weeks on the UK Official Singles Chart, one of the biggest global charts alongside Billboard.

Rosé’s album rosie, which features APT., also made history. She personally wrote and composed all its tracks, and the album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, making it the highest-charting album by a K-pop female artist ever!

With record-breaking achievements one after another, fans are calling Rosé unstoppable.

Source (1)

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]