SEOUL – ROSÉ of the globally acclaimed K-pop group BLACKPINK has etched her name into music history, setting a new benchmark for K-pop artists on the prestigious U.S. Billboard charts. Her solo track, “APT.”, has demonstrated remarkable staying power, charting on the highly competitive Billboard Hot 100 for an unprecedented 34 consecutive weeks.
According to the latest Billboard update released on June 17 KST, “APT.” continues its impressive run, surpassing the previous record for the longest charting K-pop song. This distinction was previously held by BTS member Jimin’s track “WHO”, which charted for a significant 33 weeks.
The Record-Breaking Run
ROSÉ’s achievement underscores the growing influence and sustained popularity of K-pop acts in the Western music market. The Billboard Hot 100 is widely regarded as the definitive measure of song popularity in the United States, tracking sales, streaming, and radio airplay. A lengthy chart run, especially exceeding seven months as “APT.” has, signifies deep and consistent engagement with listeners across multiple platforms.
As of the June 17 KST chart update, “APT.” is positioned at No. 24 on the Hot 100, a testament to its enduring appeal months after its initial release. This prolonged presence at a relatively high position on the chart highlights not just an explosive debut but a sustained connection with the audience.
“APT.”: A Multi-Platform Success Story
Released as a pre-release single in October last year ahead of ROSÉ’s first full solo album, “ROSIE”, “APT.” quickly garnered global attention. The track wasn’t just successful on Western charts; it achieved a Perfect All-Kill (PAK) on various major Korean music platforms shortly after its release. Achieving a PAK is a highly coveted feat in the South Korean music industry, indicating the song simultaneously topped real-time, daily, and weekly charts across key streaming and download services, demonstrating overwhelming domestic popularity.
The song’s international success was equally pronounced. “APT.” rapidly climbed to No. 1 on the iTunes charts in over 40 countries, showcasing its immediate global reach. It also topped the charts on Spotify USA, one of the world’s largest music streaming markets, and claimed the No. 1 position on QQ Music, a dominant music platform in China. This widespread success across diverse and significant music markets worldwide solidified “APT.”‘s status as a global hit long before it set the new Billboard Hot 100 record.
Pioneering Solo Achievements
Beyond the chart longevity of “APT.”, ROSÉ has consistently broken ground for female K-pop soloists on international charts. She holds the distinction of being the first and highest-charting female K-pop soloist on both the Billboard Hot 100, where “APT.” peaked impressively at No. 3, and the UK Official Singles Chart Top 100, where the song reached a peak position of No. 4. These peak positions are significant milestones, placing her among a very select group of K-pop artists who have achieved top 5 success in the world’s two largest music markets.
Her solo album, “ROSIE”, which features “APT.” as a lead single, also performed strongly on album charts, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard 200, the main album chart in the United States. The success of the album further cemented her standing as a potent solo force capable of achieving significant commercial and critical success independently of her group activities.
Context and Significance
ROSÉ’s record-breaking 34-week run on the Billboard Hot 100 is more than just a statistic; it is a powerful indicator of the evolving global music landscape. It highlights the ability of K-pop artists to not only achieve initial chart success but also to maintain relevance and listener engagement over an extended period, competing directly with mainstream Western artists.
This achievement also holds particular significance for female artists within the K-pop industry, demonstrating the potential for solo female acts to achieve sustained, high-level success on major international charts. It serves as an inspiration and opens doors for future generations of K-pop soloists aiming for global recognition and chart longevity.
In breaking this record, ROSÉ not only celebrates a personal milestone but also contributes to the continued expansion and normalization of K-pop on the global stage. Her sustained success with “APT.” on the Billboard Hot 100 stands as a testament to her artistry, the song’s universal appeal, and the dedicated global fanbase supporting her career.
