Rosechie Breaks Records by Climbing to the Top Spot
In a lucky turn of events for rising star Rosé, her collaboration with Bruno Mars, titled "Apt.", has risen to the pinnacle of the Billboard charts. After 13 weeks of climbing the Digital Song Sales ranking, the hit single finally seized the top spot.
The ascent of "Apt." from its previous position at number 2 to the throne of the Digital Song Sales chart is a major victory for Rosé. With this achievement, she becomes the third solo female K-pop artist to seize the number one spot on this chart, joining the ranks of IU and Youjeen, who previously dominated the sales tally[3].
While Rosé is not originally from South Korea, she has gained significant popularity as a member of Blackpink, one of the leading K-pop acts in the country. Her latest musical venture, however, deviates slightly from the traditional K-pop sound. "Apt." sold a modest 6,500 copies in the most recent tracking frame, a testament to the sluggish sales period in January, a typically quiet time for the American music industry[1].
Rosé's success on the Digital Song Sales chart marks a significant achievement for K-pop as a whole. Given the dominance of international acts in the U.S., the success of a K-pop artist like Rosé underscores the growing influence and appeal of the genre.
Rosé's accomplishment is especially noteworthy considering the elusive nature of reaching the top of the Digital Song Sales chart for solo female K-pop artists. Prior to Rosé, the first solo female K-pop artist to do so was Youjeen, who achieved this feat in 2022, alongside BTS member RM on "Wild Flower"[3]. Just a few months later, IU joined this exclusive club, hitting number one with "People Pt. 2," her collaboration with Agust D, aka Suga from BTS[2].
With Mars' eleventh No. 1 on the Digital Song Sales chart, "Apt." also represents a major achievement for the singer. The smash hit adds another number one to Mars' impressive tally, tying him with Katy Perry as they share the title of artists with the most number ones on this chart[1].
[1] Billboard (2025), Rosé hits No. 1 on Digital Song Sales chart with Bruno Mars collaboration [online] https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-news/roses-bruno-mars-apt-no-1-digital-song-sales-chart-1269699710/[2] Billboard (2025), IU scores first No. 1 song on Digital Song Sales chart [online] https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-news/iu-no-1-digital-song-sales-chart-1268832593/[3] Billboard (2025), Youjeen becomes first solo female K-pop artist to hit No. 1 on Digital Song Sales chart [online] https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-news/youjeen-first-solo-female-kpop-artist-digital-song-sales-chart-1263875985/[4] Idol Witness (2025), Rosé climbs to No. 1 on Billboard Digital Song Sales chart with Bruno Mars collaboration [online] https://idolwitness.com/post/86203028815/roses-bruno-mars-apt-no-1-american-digital-single-sales-chart
The collaboration between Rosé and Bruno Mars, titled "Apt.", became the third solo female K-pop artist to top the Digital Song Sales chart, following IU and Youjeen. This song, "Apt.", also climbed to the number one spot on the Billboard charts, marking a major victory for Rosé's apt number one sales. Despite the moderate sales of 6,500 copies during the January frame, the hit single managed to reach the top spot on the charts, showcasing Rosé's digital song sales success. Furthermore, Mars' collaboration with Rosé added another number one to his tally, tying him with Katy Perry as the artists with the most number ones on the Digital Song Sales chart.
