The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, held on September 7 at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, was a night of electrifying performances, heartfelt moments, and historic milestones. Among the evening’s most memorable highlights was BLACKPINK’s Rosé accepting the Song of the Year award for her collaboration with Bruno Mars, “APT.” The win, marking the first time a K-pop song has claimed this prestigious category, was a deeply personal moment for the 28-year-old New Zealand-born South Korean star. Rosé’s emotional speech, delivered with a mix of gratitude, vulnerability, and pride, captured the hearts of fans worldwide, making it one of the sweetest and most talked-about moments of the night.
A Historic Win for K-Pop
Rosé, one-fourth of the global K-pop sensation BLACKPINK, has long been celebrated for her soulful vocals and distinctive artistry. Her collaboration with Bruno Mars on “APT,” released on October 18, 2024, as the lead single from her debut solo album Rosie, became an instant global phenomenon. The song, inspired by a Korean drinking game and featuring the catchy refrain “apateu apateu,” blended K-pop’s infectious energy with Mars’ signature funk-pop flair. Its success was undeniable, topping Spotify’s global and US daily streaming charts, surpassing one billion streams on the platform in just 100 days, and spending 19 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart.
At the 2025 VMAs, “APT” was nominated in multiple categories, including Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Best Pop, but its win for Song of the Year was a groundbreaking achievement. The category, one of the night’s most coveted, featured strong contenders like Ariana Grande’s “Brighter Days Ahead,” Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile,” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild.” Rosé’s victory, announced by presenter Paris Hilton, marked the first time a K-pop song has won Song of the Year, cementing Rosé as a trailblazer for the genre on a global stage.
Rosé’s Heartfelt Acceptance Speech
As Rosé took the stage in a shimmery butter-yellow gown, her disbelief and emotion were palpable. Clutching a folded speech she had prepared to avoid stumbling, she began, “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe this. Thank you so much. I prepared something ’cause I didn’t want to mess this up, and I feel like this is a really big moment for myself and a lot of other people.” Her voice trembled as she addressed the audience, pausing to laugh nervously before continuing, endearing herself to fans who saw her authenticity shine through.
Rosé’s speech was a masterclass in gratitude and introspection. She first thanked Bruno Mars, calling him her “absolute idol and incredible teacher” and expressing her intention to call him after the ceremony to share her excitement. “Thank you so much for believing in me and helping me build this world together,” she said, highlighting their creative partnership. She also acknowledged her BLACKPINK bandmates—Jisoo, Jennie, and Lisa—hoping they were proud of her solo achievement. “I hope you’re watching, and I hope you’re proud,” she said, her voice filled with warmth.
The most poignant moment came when Rosé dedicated the award to her 16-year-old self, reflecting on a recent conversation about her greatest fear. “Someone asked me the other day what my fear in life was, and I was quite shocked at my own response,” she shared. “I told them I feared that somewhere along this journey of pursuing my dreams, I might hit a wall and disappoint my 16-year-old self, who grew up always an oddball among society that wished someday she, too, could be herself and equally pursue her dreams just as well as anyone else I saw on television.” She concluded, “Every single one of you has put me here, and now I believe there is no imposter in the world when MTV has given me this award here at the VMAs.”
The speech resonated deeply with fans, who took to social media to celebrate its sincerity. Posts on X described it as “heartwarming” and “inspiring,” with one user writing, “Rosé’s speech was so raw and real—she’s proof you can chase your dreams and win.” Others praised her for honoring her younger self, with comments like, “Dedicating it to 16-year-old Rosé was everything. She’s a role model for dreamers everywhere.”
The Impact of “APT”
“APT” was more than just a chart-topping hit; it was a cultural phenomenon that bridged K-pop and Western pop in a way few songs have achieved. The track’s music video, co-directed by Bruno Mars and Daniel Ramos, featured the duo in a vibrant, garage band-inspired setting, complete with matching black leather jackets and playful choreography. Rosé’s unexpected kiss on Mars’ cheek in the video became a fan-favorite moment, adding to its viral appeal. The video amassed over 2 billion views on YouTube, making it the fastest music video by an Asian artist to reach 1.2 billion views.
The song’s success extended beyond streaming platforms. In South Korea, “APT” achieved a perfect all-kill, topping all real-time, daily, and weekly charts simultaneously, a milestone Rosé accomplished both as a soloist and with BLACKPINK. In the United States, it debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Rosé’s first top-10 hit and Mars’ 20th. The track later peaked at No. 3, becoming the longest-charting song by a K-pop act in the chart’s history. Its commercial dominance was further evidenced by its 1.624 billion on-demand audio streams in the first half of 2025, according to Luminate’s midyear report.
A Night of Milestones
The 2025 VMAs were a celebration of music’s diversity, with new categories like Best Country and Best Pop Artist reflecting the evolving industry. Lady Gaga led the night with 12 nominations, winning Artist of the Year, while Ariana Grande took home Video of the Year for “Brighter Days Ahead.” Sabrina Carpenter won Best Album for Short n’ Sweet, and Mariah Carey received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. A tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, featuring YUNGBLUD, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Nuno Bettencourt, was another highlight, with Grande’s viral reaction adding to its buzz.
Rosé’s win was particularly significant for K-pop, a genre that has steadily gained global prominence. Her nine nominations, including nods for Video of the Year and Best Collaboration, underscored her growing influence as a solo artist. The victory also highlighted the power of BLACKPINK’s fanbase, known as BLINKs, who rallied to support Rosé through fan voting. Posts on X celebrated her achievement, with one user writing, “Rosé and Bruno Mars made history with APT. K-pop is taking over!”
Rosé’s Journey to the Spotlight
Born Roseanne Park in Auckland, New Zealand, and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Rosé moved to South Korea at 16 to pursue her dream of becoming a K-pop idol. After auditioning for YG Entertainment in 2012, she debuted with BLACKPINK in 2016, quickly rising to fame as part of one of the world’s biggest girl groups. Her solo career began with the 2021 single “On the Ground,” which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Global 200. Rosie, her debut album released in December 2024, showcased her versatility, blending pop, rock, and electronic elements.
Collaborating with Bruno Mars, a 16-time Grammy winner, was a dream come true for Rosé, who has cited him as a musical influence since her teenage years. In a 2024 interview with iHeartRadio, she recalled driving around with her newly acquired driver’s license, listening to Mars’ songs on repeat. When her label proposed pitching songs to him, Rosé insisted on “APT,” believing its playful energy was the perfect fit. The collaboration not only produced a global hit but also forged a genuine friendship, as evidenced by Mars’ heartfelt congratulations on X, where he shared a photo of Rosé with her VMA trophy and wrote, “Big Bad Rosie!”
Conclusion
Rosé’s acceptance of the Song of the Year award for “APT” at the 2025 MTV VMAs was a moment of triumph, vulnerability, and inspiration. Her emotional speech, dedicating the win to her 16-year-old self and thanking her fans, bandmates, and collaborator Bruno Mars, resonated with audiences worldwide. The historic victory for a K-pop song underscored Rosé’s role as a global ambassador for the genre, while “APT”’s infectious energy and cultural impact solidified its place as one of 2025’s defining anthems. As Rosé continues to carve her path as a solo artist, her VMAs moment will be remembered as a testament to her talent, resilience, and ability to connect with fans on a deeply personal level.
