"APT," a collaboration between BLACKPINK member Rosé and pop star Bruno Mars, has become the best-selling song worldwide, marking a first for K-pop.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) announced on the 20th that "APT" topped the Global Single Chart for last year. The IFPI Global Single Chart ranks the most popular songs based on metrics including streaming consumption and download figures. Rosé is the first artist from outside North America or Europe to claim the top position on this chart.
Korean artists have previously appeared on the chart, starting with PSY's "Gangnam Style" in 2012, followed by BTS (2020, 2021) and Jungkook (2024), but none had reached the number one spot.
"'APT' claimed the top position on the strength of its sustained global hit status," IFPI said. "This also marks the first time the number one song on the Global Single Chart has included non-English lyrics."
Bruno Mars, who collaborated with Rosé on "APT," last topped this chart 14 years ago in 2011 with "Just The Way You Are."
"Golden," an original soundtrack from the Netflix animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters," ranked second. Another track from the same film, "Soda Pop," placed 13th, putting two songs from a single production on the chart simultaneously.
Meanwhile, director Maggie Kang, who helmed "K-Pop Demon Hunters," recently appeared on a TV talk show and noted that "unfortunately, a sequel will require a long wait." Netflix signed a sequel deal last year with Sony Pictures Animation, the film's production company, but has not announced a specific release date.