BLACKPINK’s Rosé finds herself at the center of a major online debate. The controversy follows her recent comments about making history with her Grammy nominations for the hit song APT. with Bruno Mars. While celebrating her personal milestone, her remarks about being a “first” have ignited criticism from fans of other major K-pop acts, particularly BTS, who argue the achievements of past Korean artists are being overlooked.
The Comments That Sparked the Debate
The situation began with an interview where Rosé reflected on her Grammy nominations for APT., which is up for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. In her emotional response, she highlighted the significance of the moment for her personally.
“History of first Korean Kpop artist. That means a lot to me because I don’t think I ever saw on television somebody that looks like me… never in a million years would I have thought that this would happen,” Rosé stated in her interview.
While her supporters saw this as a genuine expression of personal disbelief and pride, a vocal segment of online fans, especially the BTS ARMY, found the phrasing problematic. They interpreted her words as either unintentionally or deliberately ignoring the path paved by other Korean artists at the Grammy Awards.
Why BTS ARMY and Other Fans Are Upset
The backlash centers on the belief that Rosé’s statement erases the legacy of other Korean Grammy milestones. Fans have been quick to point out specific achievements they feel were not acknowledged.
- BTS’s Grammy History: BTS has received multiple Grammy nominations over the years. They are recognized as the first K-pop group to be nominated for a major Grammy award and the first to perform at the ceremony.
- Soprano Sumi Jo’s Win: Classical soprano Sumi Jo is celebrated as the first Korean artist to ever win a Grammy Award, a fact often brought up in these discussions.
- Credit to Bruno Mars: Beyond the historical record, a parallel criticism emerged on social media with the trend “Thank You Bruno Mars.” Many argued that the song’s success and Grammy recognition were due more to Bruno Mars’s involvement and the backing of a major label like Atlantic Records than to Rosé’s solo star power.
Online reactions were sharp. One user commented, “She’s got some nerve disrespecting BTS when literally no one would know her without Bruno Mars”. Another questioned, “This girl need to come back to reality… everything u came out with flopped 😭 Bruno saved her”.
Defending Rosé: Supporters Explain the Context
In response to the criticism, a large number of fans and observers have rushed to Rosé’s defense. They argue that her words have been taken out of context or misunderstood.
Her supporters emphasize that Rosé was speaking about a very specific and still historic achievement: she is the first female K-pop soloist to be nominated as a lead artist in the Grammy’s “Big Four” general field categories (Album, Record, and Song of the Year, and Best New Artist). This is a distinct milestone from group nominations or wins in classical or genre-specific categories.
They also note that Rosé has consistently shown respect for her peers, including BTS, throughout her career. For them, the interview was a moment of personal vulnerability and joy, not a calculated attempt to rewrite history. The visible excitement in a video of her reaction—where she nervously asked, “Are we not going to get it?” before cheering with friends—is cited as proof of her authentic shock and gratitude.
The “For Your Consideration” Campaign Controversy
The debate over Rosé’s comments was preceded by an earlier controversy that also involved BTS fans. Months before the nominations were announced, photos of Rosé’s official Grammy “For Your Consideration” (FYC) campaign package surfaced online.
This promotional material, sent to Grammy voters, reportedly claimed that APT. had the “biggest streaming debut for a Korean artist in the U.S.”. The BTS ARMY immediately challenged this claim, presenting data showing that BTS albums like Map of the Soul: 7 and Proof had significantly higher streaming numbers upon their debut.
This led to accusations that Rosé’s campaign was using misleading information, which violates the Recording Academy’s strict rules for FYC materials. For a time, there was even online speculation about potential disqualification, though no official action was taken by the Grammys.
APT.’s Unstoppable Success and Solo Breakout
Despite the surrounding debates, the success of APT. is undeniable. The song has been a global commercial powerhouse.
- It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- It spent an impressive 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart.
- The song secured the Song of the Year award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
- Rosé herself ranked No. 9 on Billboard’s Year-End Hot 100 Chart, a major feat for any solo artist.
This success marked a high point in a year where all four BLACKPINK members launched solo projects: **Lisa’s *Alter Ego, **Rosé’s *Rosie, **Jennie’s *Ruby, and **Jisoo’s *Amortage. Due to Grammy rules, their established fame with BLACKPINK made them ineligible for the Best New Artist category, which is reserved for true breakout acts.
The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled for early 2026. Rosé’s nominations for APT. stand, and the industry will be watching to see if she can convert her historic nominations into a win.
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