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'APT.' becomes first K-pop song to win Brit Award as Rosé and Bruno Mars earworm continues run of success

Published: 01 Mar. 2026, 13:32 Updated: 01 Mar. 2026, 17:16

KIM JU-YEON
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Rosé speaks after receiving the International Song Of The Year award at the 2026 Brit Awards for ″APT.″ (2024) in a ceremony in Manchester, Britain, on Feb. 28. The Blackpink member released the hit along with U.S. pop star Bruno Mars. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Rosé has made K-pop history at Britain’s most prestigious pop music awards with “APT.” (2024), the addictive song inspired by a Korean drinking game.

The Blackpink member took home International Song of the Year at the 2026 Brit Awards on Saturday for the track sung with U.S. pop star Bruno Mars, marking the first time a K-pop artist has won at the annual awards.

It beat “Golden,” the original soundtrack from Netflix animated hit “KPop Demon Hunters” (2025), to secure the win.

“Bruno, I'm receiving this award on behalf of the both of us. Thank you so much for everything, for being my biggest mentor and best friend,” Rosé said on stage after receiving the trophy in Manchester, Britain.

“I would like to give a shout-out to Blackpink. Jennie, Jisoo and Lisa; I love you guys so much. Thank you for always inspiring me,” she added.

Rosé also thanked Teddy, a longtime producer of Blackpink's songs and the founder and chief producer of her agency, The Black Label.

″APT.″ (2024) wins International Song of the Year at the 2026 Brit Awards. [BRIT AWARDS]

“APT.” was released in October 2024 ahead of Rosé’s first studio album, “rosie.”

The track spent a record 45 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 3, and climbed to No. 2 on Britain's Official Singles Chart Top 100, where it remained for over a year.

It was the biggest selling-single globally in 2025, based on worldwide streams and downloads, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

“APT.” won two trophies at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, including the top prize for Song of the Year.

It was nominated for Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at this year's Grammy Awards but did not secure a trophy.

The Brit Awards are handed out by a voting academy made up of industry figures, including previous winning musicians and nominees.

No other K-pop artist had won an award at the annual ceremony before, despite several nominations. BTS was up for International Group of the Year in 2021 and 2022, and Blackpink earned a nomination in the same category in 2023, but neither took home a trophy. In 2024, Korean DJ Peggy Gou was short-listed for International Song of the Year but got no further.

HUNTR/X, the fictional girl group from “KPop Demon Hunters” voiced by Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, was also nominated for International Group of the Year at the 2026 ceremony but did not secure the award.

BY KIM JU-YEON [[email protected]]