BLACKPINK's Rosé made history on Monday night by becoming the first K-pop artist to win Song of the Year at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
During the event, which was held at New York's UBS Arena, the South Korean star accepted the Moon Person trophy for her solo single "APT." a collaboration with Bruno Mars that has resonated worldwide since its release last year.
Dressed in a buttery yellow strapless sequined gown and sparkling diamonds, Rosé approached the stage with palpable emotion. She began her acceptance speech by expressing profound gratitude to Bruno Mars, who lent both his talent and unwavering belief to the project.
In a moment that moved the audience to cheers, Rosé dedicated her award to her younger self. "Twelve years later, I dedicate this award to my 16-year-old self, who dreamed, and to all those who have watched me grow into the artist that I am today," she said, her voice wavering with emotion.
She revealed that she once feared disappointing the tentative girl who felt like an outsider: "I feared that somewhere along the way this journey of pursuing my dreams, I might hit a wall and possibly disappoint my 16-year-old self, who grew up always an oddball among society that wished someday she, too, could be herself and equally pursue her dreams just as well as anyone else I saw on television."
"APT." led this year's VMAs with eight nominations, including Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Best Pop, a record number for a K-pop act at the event. The song's success has been reflected in more than 2 billion views on YouTube, cementing its global impact.
This win marks Rosé's first VMA victory as a solo artist. She and her BLACKPINK bandmates previously celebrated group achievements, but this milestone underscores her individual artistry and the rising influence of K-pop on the global stage. In her closing remarks, she also thanked her fellow members, comparing their support to the foundation that lifted her dreams to reality.
As the crowd roared their approval, Rosé reminded everyone of the importance of perseverance. "As my therapist tells me to do every day, I'd like to thank myself for not giving up," she concluded, solidifying her victory not just as an award but as a testament to resilience and self-belief.
