(ATTN: UPDATES with speech from Rose, more from ceremony in paras 1-4, 9-11; RECASTS headline; ADDS photos)
By Shim Sun-ah
Rose of BLACKPINK has won the International Song of the Year at the 46th Brit Awards on Saturday (British time) for “APT.”, her collaborative hit with American pop star Bruno Mars.
“Give a shout out to BLACKPINK. Jennie, Jisoo and Lisa, I love you guys so much. Thank you for always inspiring me,” Rose said on stage after receiving the trophy in Manchester, naming her fellow group members.
“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,” she added, also offering thanks to Teddy, the founder and chief producer of her agency, The Black Label.
“APT.,” a pre-release single from her first studio album “rosie,” became a global sensation following its release in October 2024.
The track pairs bright pop harmonies with an addictive refrain inspired by a popular Korean drinking game known as the “apartment game.” It logged a 45-week run on the Billboard Hot 100, the longest ever for a K-pop track, where it peaked at number three. It peaked at No. 2 on the British Official Singles Chart Top 100, remaining on the chart for more than a year.
In September 2025, it earned her two trophies at the MTV Video Music Awards, including the top prize for Song of the Year.
“APT.” was additionally nominated for Song of the Year and Record of the Year — two of the six “general field” categories — as well as Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at this year’s Grammy Awards, but did not secure a trophy.
No K-pop artist had previously won a Brit Award despite growing recognition. BTS received nominations for International Group of the Year in 2021 and 2022, followed by BLACKPINK in 2023. In 2024, Korean DJ Peggy Gou was also shortlisted for International Song of the Year but went home empty-handed.
At this year’s ceremony, the song “Golden” from the original soundtrack of the hit Netflix film “KPop Demon Hunters” was also nominated for International Song of the Year. The film’s fictional girl group Huntr/x, which performed the track, competed in the International Group of the Year category, but it did not win in either category.
Korean American artists Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, who lent their voices to Huntr/x, delivered a special live performance of “Golden” during the event, drawing cheers from young fans in the audience who sang along enthusiastically.
