Rose Makes New History at the MTV VMA 2025

Rosé of BLACKPINK makes history at the MTV VMA 2025, becoming the first K-pop artist to win Song of the Year.
Her duet “APT.” with Bruno Mars also led her to a record-breaking eight nominations.
Fans celebrate the milestone while online debates highlight the song’s success and impact.

In the spotlight of the international entertainment scene, Rosé of BLACKPINK has made history by becoming the first K-pop artist to win the Song of the Year award at the prestigious MTV Video Music Awards 2025 (VMA). Her victory with the track “APT.”, a collaboration with superstar Bruno Mars, is not only a personal achievement but also marks a major milestone for K-pop’s growing recognition on the global stage.

The awards ceremony, held at UBS Arena in New York on September 7 (local time), turned emotional when Rosé, dressed elegantly in a golden gown, expressed deep gratitude to Bruno Mars, producer Teddy, and her fellow BLACKPINK members. “I dedicate this trophy to my 16-year-old self who kept chasing her dreams,” she said tearfully. She even delivered part of her speech in Korean, showing how much she values her roots and the team that has stood by her side.

Record Nominations and BLACKPINK’s Support

Rosé didn’t just win, she led the night with eight nominations at the 2025 VMAs. Alongside Song of the Year and Video of the Year for “APT.”, she was also nominated for Best Collaboration, Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Visual Effects, and Best K-pop with the title track of her solo album “Toxic Till the End.” This made her the K-pop artist with the most nominations this year.

Meanwhile, BLACKPINK as a group also secured the Best Group award, reinforcing their status as one of the most influential global icons. Fellow member Lisa once again won Best K-pop for her collaboration “Born Again” with Doja Cat and Lay—her second consecutive win and third overall in the category.

Adding to the K-pop highlights, HYBE’s global girl group KATSEYE took home the Push Performance of the Year trophy for “Touch.” Other artists like aespa, BTS’s Jimin, and Stray Kids were also nominated, further proving the dominance of K-pop in the global music industry.

Excitement, Controversy, and Public Reaction

While Rosé’s victory brought an outpouring of congratulations, it also sparked heated debates online. Some argued that the success of “APT.” was largely driven by Bruno Mars. One comment read, “Bruno’s participation really makes the song successful. Can’t say it will be as popular if it’s just her.” Others even went further with harsh takes, such as, “Without Bruno, Korean blood is nothing but a loser.” These remarks stirred discussions over who contributed more to the song’s triumph.

Still, plenty of voices celebrated the win as a historic milestone. One user wrote, “Congrats Rosé! Being the first K-pop artist is a milestone regardless if it is a solo or collab song.” Fans flooded social media with emotional messages of support:

“Our angel, she deserve it for real! Proud of you Rosé.”

“YES MY ROSIE POSIE, you deserve it baby.”

“Rosie, my precious posie. Congratulations, so happy to hear this news.”

“I’m so proud of her, this is huge news.”

“Deserved, and Grammy better gives that SOTY as well to her.”

At the same time, Rosé’s win reignited the long-running debate about who truly “paved the way” for K-pop in America. Some insisted it was BLACKPINK, while others argued BTS had made K-pop globally recognized first. Accusations of payola and heavy promotional pushes were also raised, fueling controversy around the award.

Regardless of the debates, the numbers speak for themselves—“APT.” stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for 41 consecutive weeks and hit over 100 million Spotify streams within just seven days of release. These achievements cement Rosé’s influence in the international music scene.

With this achievement, Rosé has gone beyond the boundaries of being a K-pop idol, solidifying her status as a true global artist. She didn’t just bring home a prestigious trophy—she also gave fans around the world a reason to celebrate and take pride. Whether seen as a collaborative victory or an individual triumph, this moment will remain unforgettable in K-pop history on the international stage.

Sources: MBC Entertainment, Munhwa Ilbo, MyDaily, Xport News, Daum