Rosé Makes K-pop History with “Song of the Year” Win at the 2025 MTV VMAs

Global star Rosé of BLACKPINK has officially etched her name in K-pop history. On October 8 (KST), Rosé took home the prestigious “Song of the Year” award for her chart-topping duet “APT.” with pop icon Bruno Mars at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, held at the UBS Arena in New York, USA.

In addition to her solo win, BLACKPINK also received the “Best Group” award, giving Rosé two monumental trophies in one night. Her Song of the Year victory marks a historic first for any K-pop artist, as no Korean singer had previously won in one of the VMAs’ top categories. Although BTS’s “Dynamite” earned a nomination in 2021, it did not secure the award—making Rosé’s achievement a groundbreaking milestone for K-pop on the global stage.

As her name was announced, Rosé appeared visibly stunned, her eyes widening as “APT.” began to play throughout the venue. Taking the stage in a dazzling gold gown, she expressed her disbelief and gratitude, saying, “I can’t believe this. I’m truly thankful to Bruno (Mars) who believed in me and helped me from the very beginning.” She then added with emotion, “I dedicate this trophy to the 16-year-old me who chased her dreams. I’m happy to receive this award—it feels like all my hard work has finally paid off.”

Her heartfelt acceptance speech resonated deeply with fans around the world. Switching briefly to Korean, Rosé warmly mentioned her longtime producer and BLACKPINK bandmates, saying, “Teddy, I won an award!” She smiled as she continued, “Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa—this is for us. I’m always grateful and love you so much.” Her mix of humility, gratitude, and authenticity moved audiences both in the arena and online, where fans celebrated her as a symbol of artistic perseverance and global influence.

Rosé’s achievements at the VMAs went beyond her wins—she was also one of the most nominated artists of the night, earning an astounding eight nominations, the highest ever for a K-pop act. Her duet “APT.” was nominated in major categories, including Song of the Year, Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, and Best Visual Effects. She also received a Best K-pop nomination for “Toxic Till the End,” the title track of her first full-length album.

With her Song of the Year win, Rosé not only elevated her own artistry but also marked a defining moment in K-pop’s global recognition. Her collaboration with Bruno Mars—blending soulful pop and emotional depth—captured both critics and audiences worldwide, proving that K-pop’s reach now transcends language, genre, and borders.

Meanwhile, HYBE’s global girl group KATSEYE also shined at the event, winning “Push Performance of the Year” for their viral hit “Touch.” Adding to the night’s K-pop presence, Lee Jae, Lay Ami, and Audrey Noona—the real-life voices behind the virtual girl group Huntrix from Netflix’s animated K-pop film K-Pop Demon Hunters—appeared as presenters for the Best Album category.

Rosé’s historic Song of the Year win at the 2025 MTV VMAs stands as a defining moment not only for her career but also for the entire K-pop industry—an inspiring reminder of how far Korean artists have come in reshaping the global pop landscape.