On the evening of September 22 (KST), Rosé of BLACKPINK took the stage at The Howard Stern Show and surprised the global audience with a live acoustic rendition of her record-breaking hit APT. The main vocal of BLACKPINK did not stop there; she unveiled for the first time the original draft version of the track, which she calls “APT. 1.0.”
In this early version, the familiar melody remains, but the lyrics are completely different from the collaboration that fans know with Bruno Mars.
Though the clip lasted just over 30 seconds, it immediately set social media ablaze. Fans worldwide praised the stripped-down version, calling it “addictive,” “smoother than the original,” and even “better than the Bruno Mars version.”
The release of “APT. 1.0” also re-ignites past debates. Many had argued that APT only exploded thanks to Bruno Mars’s involvement. However, Rosé’s solo reveal silenced doubts, proving she could easily carry the megahit on her own with her signature sweet yet powerful voice. Fans now hope Rosé’s agency will release this version officially.
The revelation comes just days after APT made history. On September 18, the music video surpassed 2 billion views on YouTube, becoming the fastest K-pop MV ever to reach this milestone.
Since its release on October 18, 2024, the track has been unstoppable:
- #1 on Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S.
- First-ever Perfect All-Kill for Rosé as a soloist in Korea
- 1 billion streams on Spotify in 100 days, fastest for a K-pop artist
- 1 billion YouTube views in 105 days, breaking Gangnam Style’s long-standing record
- Stayed 29 weeks on the UK Official Singles Chart
With “APT. 1.0,” Rosé not only thrills fans with a hidden gem but also cements her status as a global K-pop icon whose artistry extends far beyond collaborations.
Sources: K14
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