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BLACKPINK Rosé Nabs 1st Solo PAK with ‘APT.’ Featuring Bruno Mars

Rosé has reached an extraordinary milestone by completely sweeping the Korean music charts with her latest single. “APT.” featuring Bruno Mars just gave the BLACKPINK member her 1st solo PAK!

‘APT.’ Gives Rosé 1st Solo PAK Since Debut

The track achieved a perfect all-kill on October 27 at 9:30 a.m. KST, according to Instiz’s iChart. This significant achievement cements “APT.” as a chart-dominating hit across multiple platforms, showcasing Rosé’s impact as a soloist on both national and global levels.

While Rosé has earned all-kills previously as part of BLACKPINK, this marks her first perfect all-kill as a solo artist. Achieving a certified all-kill means the song topped the daily and Top 100 charts on Melon, the daily and realtime charts on Genie and Bugs, YouTube Music’s Top Songs chart, VIBE’s daily chart, and the realtime charts of FLO and iChart.

A perfect all-kill also takes this accomplishment further, indicating that “APT.” also topped iChart’s weekly chart—a rare feat, especially for a solo artist in the highly competitive K-pop industry.

‘APT.’ Taking The World By Storm

“APT.” was released on October 18 at 1 p.m. KST, and its success was instant, with the music video amassing an astounding 100 million views by October 23 at 4:11 p.m. KST. Reaching this milestone in just five days and three hours, it also stands as the fastest music video by any artist in 2024 to achieve 100 million views, highlighting Rosé’s widespread appeal and the song’s powerful reception worldwide.

Inspired by the Korean “apartment game,” a traditional children’s game in Korea, “APT.” brings a blend of nostalgia and cultural depth to the track. This element has resonated strongly with Korean fans while also captivating international audiences by offering a taste of Korean culture through the song’s theme.

“APT.” is the pre-release track from Rosé’s first full album ‘rosie’, which is already set for release on December 6, 2024.

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BLACKPINK Rosé and Bruno Mars ‘APT.’ MV Hits 100M Views

BLACKPINK’s Rosé has set an incredible record with her new pre-release single. The “APT.” MV featuring Bruno Mars has already reached 100 million views less than a week since it was dropped!

Rosé and Bruno Mars’ ‘APT.’ MV Becomes Fastest Music Video To Hit 100 M Views

Released on October 18 at 1 p.m. KST, the music video for “APT.” quickly garnered widespread attention, reaching an impressive 100 million views by October 23 at 4:11 p.m. KST. This achievement took just about five days and three hours, making “APT.” the fastest music video by any artist in 2024 to hit 100 million views. It also stands as the quickest video in 2024 for any artist, regardless of genre, to reach this milestone.

“APT.” takes its inspiration from the “apartment game,” a traditional Korean game often played by children, which adds a nostalgic element for Korean fans while bringing something unique and culturally rich to Rosé’s international audience.

An Exciting Start for Rosé’s Upcoming Full Album

This collaboration with Bruno Mars has further amplified excitement for Rosé’s first full-length studio album, “rosie,” slated for release on December 6, 2024. This marks her first solo comeback since her 2021 debut with the single album ‘R,’ which featured the popular tracks “On The Ground” and “Gone.”

Rosé’s engagement in the album’s production was substantial, as she took on roles as a coproducer and cowriter, working closely to shape each of the 12 tracks. According to a press release, “rosie” is her “most personal and candid” work yet, promising fans a more intimate exploration of her thoughts and creative journey.

This personal touch is expected to resonate deeply with fans, adding another dimension to her artistry. The highly anticipated December release of “rosie” is set to showcase Rosé’s growth, both as a member of BLACKPINK and as a solo artist, bringing a unique musical experience to her global fanbase.

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BLACKPINK Renews Contract With YG Entertainment for Group Activities

All four members of BLACKPINK have officially extended their contracts with their original agency, YG Entertainment, for future group activities, putting an end to the speculation surrounding the acclaimed K-pop sensation’s future.

On Wednesday, December 6, YG Entertainment announced that they’ve successfully secured exclusive contracts for group endeavors with Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. A representative from the label emphasized that this decision was reached after thorough discussions and is founded on a deep sense of trust between the parties involved.

After careful discussions with BLACKPINK, we signed exclusive contracts for group activities based on deep trust,” YG Entertainment said, according to a Soompi report. 

 

Furthermore, Yang Hyun Suk, the executive producer at YG Entertainment, expressed his joy in continuing the collaborative journey with BLACKPINK. He said: “BLACKPINK will continue to do their best to shine even brighter in the global music market as artists representing not only our agency but also K-pop, and we send our unwavering support and faith for their future steps.”

According to South Korean media reports, the contract renewal will see the quartet release new music and hold another large-scale world tour soon. 

BLACKPINK still in our area

While the renewal covers group activities, there has been no official announcement regarding the members’ solo pursuits yet. 

Since the quartet’s original contract with YG Entertainment expired in August, there’s speculation that the members would pursue individual activities with other agencies. To recall, there were reports claiming that Lisa will be signing with an American agency, while Jennie and Jisoo will allegedly set up their own labels. Notably, these reports also included deals that allegedly promised business and promotional opportunities for the artists outside of their K-pop activities. 

Although there’s no news about the members’ contract for their solo activities, the latest news concludes months of uncertainty about BLACKPINK’s future as a group. 

Since their debut in 2016 with hit singles like “Whistle” and “Boombayah,” BLACKPINK has risen to become one of the most commercially successful female acts in the K-pop industry.  

Furthermore, they also made history as the first K-pop act to headline the renowned Coachella music festival in the United States, solidifying their global influence and popularity. Recently, the members were also awarded with honorary memberships in the Order of the British Empire.

Featured image: Jisoo, Lisa, Rosé, and Jennie pose after their Coachella performance. Credit: Facebook/BLACKPINK

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BLACKPINK Receives Honorary MBEs From King Charles at Buckingham Palace

BLACKPINK, the renowned South Korean girl group, has been granted honorary membership in the Order of the British Empire.

In a special investiture ceremony on November 22 at Buckingham Palace, King Charles presented all four members of BLACKPINK with honorary MBEs. Notably, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee were also present during the investiture ceremony. 

On the Royal Family’s official social media accounts, they also shared clips of the BLACKPINK members receiving their honorary MBEs from King Charles. “The K-pop band have been awarded the honors in recognition of their role as advocates for the COP26 Summit in Glasgow,” they captioned the post. 

For those unfamiliar, the MBEs are part of a series of medals and honors that the King can confer on behalf of the government.

According to reports, Rosé, holding dual New Zealand citizenship and being a national of a British realm, received a “substantive” MBE. This distinguishes her from the purely honorary recognition bestowed upon the three remaining members: Jisoo, Jennie, and Lisa

Another historic feat for BLACKPINK 

As recognition stems from their pivotal role as official advocates for the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the Royal Family further commended BLACKPINK for their vocal support for the campaign to raise awareness about climate change. 

A day prior to the investiture ceremony, King Charles also hosted a banquet at Buckingham Palace for the South Korean president and first lady, with all four BLACKPINK members in attendance. 

In his banquet speech, King Charles commended Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé, for effectively conveying the message of environmental sustainability to a global audience while balancing their roles as international superstars. Based on the clips circulating online, the members were visibly surprised by the acknowledgment of their pivotal role. 

Moreover, BLACKPINK’s contributions for this initiative extended beyond verbal support. As the group also released educational videos aimed at enlightening the younger generation about climate issues. Which led to the group being appointed as global ambassadors for the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals. 

With this, BLACKPINK has now become the first and only non-British musical artist to receive this prestigious honorary award. Furthermore, they’ll be joining notable musical artists such as The Beatles (1965), Adele (2013), and Ed Sheeran (2017) as recipients of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). 

On social media, fans of the group are overjoyed with BLACKPINK’s latest achievement. On top of that, they’re also delighted to see all four members together again amidst the group’s ongoing contract renewal negotiation with YG Entertainment.

Featured image: BLACKPINK poses with their honorary MBEs. Credit: Twitter/Royal Family

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BLACKPINK’s Rosé Delivers Emotional Speech About Mental Health For APEC Leaders’ Week

Rosé is speaking out about mental health awareness. The BLACKPINK member delivered an emotional speech about the ongoing issue during the 2023 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leader’s Week.

Rosé Delivers Emotional Speech on Mental Health Awareness

BLACKPINK’s Rosé was honored with an invitation to San Francisco, USA, where she delivered a speech at the APEC Leaders’ Week. Specifically, she participated in the APEC Mental Health Talk segment hosted by US First Lady Jill Biden, who praised Rosé as a woman of “incredible talent and courage.”

In her speech, Rosé candidly shared her experiences of feeling inadequate, emphasizing that mental health issues can impact anyone, even those whose lives may seem perfect externally. Despite her global popularity, she admitted to struggling with loneliness due to the daily onslaught of hate comments.

“I do feel like some of the things I do are just never enough, and no matter how hard I work on something, there’s always going to be somebody who has their own opinion or who enjoy taking control of the narrative. And so that comes to me as a sense of loneliness,” she said. Rosé went on to stress the importance of self-worth.

“No matter what the world may otherwise tell us, our self-worth is not determined by where we are now but is to be determined by what keeps us close to the ground which is a message that a very special song of mine holds and is what I try to remind myself every day,” she said.

Rosé Emphasizes The Importance of Positive Communication

“I don’t think it’s normalized too much or enough that we speak about how we feel from time to time and that it’s normal to not always be okay…communication is key, sometimes I feel like I can’t speak out about certain issues where I’d like to be honest but I do think that communication and being more open about our mental health will help everyone in the future,” Rosé added.

Rosé also underscored the importance of speaking openly about personal challenges, emphasizing that addressing such issues is crucial for improving global mental health. Her ultimate goal is to be an artist whom people can turn to for inspiration and comfort, using her influence positively in the world.

“It is my sincere hope that my music can be a source of inspiration and comfort to my listeners,” she said. “I will continue to do my best to contribute to the collective well-being of our global community.”

The APEC Leader’s Week was held in San Francisco, California, on November 16 to 17, 2023

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BLACKPINK’s Rose Debuts New Hair Color for W Korea’s December Cover

BLACKPINK‘s Rosé is renowned for her distinctive blonde hair. However, the “Gone” singer decided to close out the year with a new hair color for the cover of W Korea magazine. In addition to that, Rosé brought her beloved dog Hank with her for the photoshoot!

Rosé Reveals New Hair Color in W Korea December Issue

In a departure from her warm-toned blonde, Rosé opted for a cool-toned shade and showcased a reverse ombre effect, keeping the top blonde while transitioning to black at the bottom. The sophisticated cool tones of her new hair color perfectly complement Rosé’s inherent elegance. As the covers are for the December issue, Rosé also celebrated the holiday season by posing alongside her dog Hank.

Rosé, exuding style in a floral mini dress, maintained her fashionable allure even with the adorable Hank by her side. These covers offer a glimpse of Rosé’s chic makeover, and fans can also anticipate more of her stunning new look in the upcoming issue of W Korea magazine. The decision to experiment with her hair color adds an exciting twist to Rosé’s iconic appearance, showcasing her versatility and ability to effortlessly pull off different styles.

W Korea also shared the images with a fitting caption.

“Happy Holidays!” the caption read. “Vol. 12 is filled with the sparkle of December, the most eagerly awaited holiday season. From editor-recommended party looks to imaginative trendy coats and attention-capturing Winter Capsule Collection accessories, discover a photo shoot brimming with shiny excitement. Take advantage of Holiday makeup tips to bring color and enchantment to your face. Explore the buzz in K-pop, K-drama, movies, and the art scene in 2023 through 10 questions and reflections, providing a glimpse into the trends of 2024. The cover girl for the year’s final chapter is BLACKPINK’s ROSÉ. Follow her bustling year, from the successful world tour [BORN PINK] to being hailed as the new face of K-pop at Coachella.”

The W Korea December issue will be available for pre-order on November 14, 2023.

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BLACKPINK’s Rosé Shares New Instagram Story Featuring Adorable Hank

The adorable Hank is back! Rosé has shared a series of Instagram Stories and the BLACKPINK member made sure to include her cute pup. Not surprisingly, BLINKs are loving the latest update on the celebrity pooch!

Rosé Brings Back Adorable Hank in New Instagram Story Series

On October 17, Rosé delighted her followers with an Instagram story update. The BLACKPINK member shared her unboxing of an Apple Mac Studio and expressed some doubts about the installation process. Luckily, the adorable Hank made special appearances throughout the series of stories, playing a special role in the entire process.

As the idol begins to unbox the package, she becomes distracted by the pup who clearly wants a treat. Naturally, Rosé had to take a break, cooking some chicken for Hank and showing off some of his tricks. The series of Instagram stories immediately won the hearts of fans worldwide.

Since adopting Hank in 2020, the pup has become a regular feature on Rosé’s personal social media accounts. His endearing canine charm has captured the hearts of millions of BLACKPINK fans worldwide, resulting in Hank’s Instagram account amassing a substantial following. Not surprisingly, Hank is now one of the most popular pets on Instagram.

Interestingly, Rosé recently clarified rumors about herself and a fellow animal lover. It was previously believed that the BLACKPINK member was involved in Taylor Swift’s upcoming album. Since then, Rosé spoke to a BLINK about the issue, confirming she had simply attended a party.

“I think it was just a party that we had amongst ourselves. But the wrong news got out,” Rosé said.

It’s an interesting confirmation and we’re certainly happy to Rosé being able to attend the listening party. In the meantime, Taylor Swift is currently set to release ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ which was a re-recording of her 2014 album.  The album is set to contain five previously unreleased “From the Vault” tracks and will be released on October 27, 2023.

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BLACKPINK’s Rosé Breaks Silence on Taylor Swift’s Listening Party

People are still talking about the possibility that Taylor Swift is collaborating with BLACKPINK’s Rosé on an upcoming project. After all, the “Gone” singer had been spotted leaving a celebrated recording studio with Swift. So is there any truth to Roseanne Park being involved in the “Bad Blood” singer’s next album? The idol has finally broken her silence about the so-called listening party she attended.

The internet was buzzing with excitement when a video surfaced showing BLACKPINK member Rosé and Taylor Swift leaving the same location. In the video, Rosé can be seen departing from Electric Lady Studios in NYC. Shortly afterwards, Swift also exits the same studio and enters a separate car.

While the video doesn’t offer much detail, fans couldn’t help but be intrigued by the possibility of a collaboration between these two artists, igniting rampant speculation. The rumors gained momentum as it’s widely known that Taylor Swift is actively working on a new album, adding fuel to the belief of a potential joint project with Rosé. Music enthusiasts and fans of both artists eagerly await any official announcements or updates regarding this intriguing possibility.

BLACKPINK’s Rosé Finally Addresses Taylor Swift’s Listening Party

Since then, Rosé has been quiet about the incident. However, that changed when the idol’s fansite Récord had a unique opportunity to engage with the idol directly on the matter while accompanying her to the airport. During their walk to her gate, they engaged in a conversation with her, covering a range of topics, including her recent mosquito bite and the ongoing speculations about a potential collaboration with Taylor Swift.

“I think it was just a party that we had amongst ourselves. But the wrong news got out,” Rosé said.

It’s an interesting confirmation and we’re certainly happy to Rosé being able to attend the listening party. In the meantime, Taylor Swift is currently set to release ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ which was a re-recording of her 2014 album.  The album is set to contain five previously unreleased “From the Vault” tracks.

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End of an Era: Blackpink Emotionally Wraps up ‘Born Pink’ World Tour

How are we feeling, BLINKs? K-pop girl group BLACKPINK officially wrapped up their 11-month long Born Pink  world tour in a two-day concert in Seoul’s Gockeok Sky Dome on September 16 to 17. 

The sensational girl group electrified the stage with hits “Pink Venom,” “Pretty Savage”, “How You Like That,” and many more.

As they finally put an end to the Born Pink era, Jisoo, Jennie, Rose, and Lisa couldn’t help but be emotional as they reminisced about their entire tour journey. 

“One year ago, around this time, we started in Seoul, and one year later now, we got to wrap up the concert. So I’m happy to wrap up with good memories until the end,” Jisoo shared.

Meanwhile, Rose looked back on their first concert. “Our first-ever Seoul concert feels like it was just yesterday,” she said. “It feels like we’ve become one with BLINK, and although this is our last, it feels like we will be together forever.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2yr0QVpQhs

Then,  Lisa took the time to thank BLINKs, the group’s fandom, for their support. “To our BLINKs, it’s been over 2,596 days since we met. Thank you BLINKs for this amazing experience, and I really love you all. And thank you BLINKs for making my 20s shine.” she said.

Lastly, Jennie expressed her sentiments on the tour finale. “BLINKs, thank you for loving and cheering us on as always. We will work hard and continue to be BLACKPINK who always impresses,” she said. 

In the middle of a few performances, netizens noticed how Jennie seemed to have held back tears.

BLACKPINK’s achievements with Born Pink

With the final concert in Seoul, the Born Pink world tour now records a staggering total of 66 shows. In a span of 11 months, the four members traveled across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania to meet BLINKs.

In April, Touring Data reported that the Born Pink world tour became the highest-grossing tour by a female group in history. BLACKPINK accomplished an impressive milestone of having sold 366,000 tickets for the first 26 shows alone. With this, the K-Pop idols surpassed legendary acts such as Spice Girls, Destiny’s Child, and TLC.

For the tour’s fourth show, Touring Data revealed that Born Pink has achieved another record as it becomes the first tour by a female act in Asia to surpass 200 million USD in ticket sales.

Showing off their global influence, BLACKPINK also writes their name down in history as the first artist to headline and sell out several stadiums across the world including Mexico, France, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore.

Born Pink: As if it’s BLACKPINK’s last concert

Amidst these momentous milestones, fans are extra sentimental with the Born Pink finale as the members’ contract with their agency, YG Entertainment, also comes to an end. 

Debuted in 2016, BLACKPINK marked their seventh debut anniversary in August 2023.  Which means their seven-year contract has also expired.

Numerous South Korean media outlets have reported that Lisa rejected two offers for renewal. However, YG Entertainment addressed the rumors stating: “We are still discussing contract renewals with Lisa. The rumors that are going around are nothing that is confirmed.”

As of writing, none of the BLACKPINK members have finalized their contract renewal yet— making fans keen and anxious of the group’s future activities.

Featured image: BLACKPINK during the Las Vegas stop of their ‘Born Pink’ world tour. Credit: Twitter/BLACKPINK

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BLACKPINK Rose and Taylor Swift Spotted Exiting NYC Recording Studio

BLINKS and Swifties just found a reason to celebrate. BLACKPINK member Rosé was spotted leaving a renowned recording studio in New York City. Just moments later, she was followed by Taylor Swift, who left in her own vehicle. Although the two singers were not actually together, fans are already speculating on what they might be working on!

Taylor Swift Spotted Exiting Recording Studio After BLACKPINK’s Rosé

The internet was abuzz when a video showing BLACKPINK member Rosé and Taylor Swift leaving the same location made its rounds on social media. In the video, the “Gone” singer is shown exiting NYC’s Electric Lady Studios. After a few moments, Swift leaves the same location and gets into a separate car.

There’s not much to see here but fans were immediately intrigued by the idea that both artists were in a recording studio together. Needless to say, there were speculations that Rosé and Swift are collaborating on a new project. The rumors were fueled by the knowledge that Swift is currently working on a new album.

Numerous individuals are well-informed about Taylor Swift’s diligent efforts as she readies her upcoming album. It’s worth mentioning that a variety of prominent artists, such as Hayley Williams, Sabrina Carpenter, Cara Delevingne, Gracie Abrams, Sadie Sink, Jack Antonoff, and Margaret Qualley, have been spotted exiting the very same studio.

So what exactly is happening here? Reports confirmed that Swift hosted an album release celebration at Electric Lady Studios on September 9, 2023. There is a huge possibility that Rosé was invited along with a few friends to celebrate the upcoming release. However, it has not been confirmed whether the BLACKPINK member collaborated on a song with the American singer.

Taylor Swift is currently set to release ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ which was a re-recording of her 2014 album.  The album is set to contain five previously unreleased “From the Vault” tracks.

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