“Is this even possible”— BLACKPINK's Rosé and Bruno Mars’ ‘APT.’ spark online debate as the music video surpasses 500 million views on YouTube

On December 8, a debate sparked on the internet when an X user, @jah_boy01, shared a YouTube screenshot of BLACKPINK's Rosé’s song APT., highlighting 501 million views on the music video within one month of its release.

BLACKPINK's Rosé song was originally released on October 18, 2024, and within a month, it reached half a billion views, which the X user questioned. The user posted:

“Is this even possible man???”

His post quickly generated an internet conversation in which netizens were divided in their opinions. While many believed that BLACKPINK's Rosé's APT. was a hit, others were skeptical. Some claimed they do not believe in YouTube streams and suggested that the artists might have used "bolt streams" to increase views.

Meanwhile, the K-pop idol fans defended her success, stating that BLACKPINK is the “biggest girl group” and the “most subscribed artist.”

“Bro I don’t even trust their streams anymore, even when YouTube was the number 1 streaming platform no artist can pull this kind streams talk less of now that YouTube has fell off. I think it’s bolts stream these artists are using on Spotify and YouTube,” stated another netizen.

“yes, she’s part of the biggest girl group that is the #1 most subscribed artist rn. they get these numbers with every single comeback, from their solos to their groups music videos. just cus you’re not on youtube doesn’t mean it’s “dead” while youtube is the #1 most streamed app,” wrote another fan.

“THIS IS ROSÈ & BRUNO MARS. That number isn't unbelievable,” stated an admirer.

Many fans mentioned that though the song has 500 million views, they haven’t heard it yet. On the other hand, fans claimed that BLACKPINK was the first girl group to hit a billion views.

“500million and I have never listened to it wow wow wow,” a netizen wrote.

“Bro, I've never heard this song anywhere. Maybe I'm living in a cave,” remarked a netizen.

“She’s in the biggest kpop girl group , they literally were the first girl group to hit 1b views on YouTube , trust her views are real,” a fan wrote.

While many fans shared screenshots of views on BLACKPINK’s MVs, others emphasized that Rosé and Bruno are big artists and that their track APT. has already broken many records.

“Broo YouTube and Spotify have killed Music… All these artists hardly get 200M on Apple Music in a month..,” another X user commented.

“It’s so funny seeing people mention how impossible this is. Meanwhile, we’re talking about a K-pop artist from one of the biggest K-pop groups in South Korea. This is light work for their fans. Mind you, this song broke several records and rightfully so. I’m so proud of Rosé,” another fan stated.

“ROSE IS BIG BRO U JUST DINT KNOW HER ! Have u seen her YouTube subscribers ? Now merge that with Mars fanbase ! The song is really popular” a fan commented.

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BLACKPINK's Rosé's APT. released on October 18 with Bruno Mars

BLACKPINK's Rosé with Bruno Mars (Image via Instagram/@roses_are_rosie)

BLACKPINK's Rosé partnered with Bruno Mars on the track APT., which premiered on October 18. This duet was released as the first pre-release track from her latest solo album, rosie, which dropped on December 6.

On November 22, Rosé and Bruno Mars attended the 2024 MAMA Awards in Japan. The duo arrived on stage at the ceremony to receive their Global Sensation Award for their song APT. They also gave their first duet stage performance (pre-recorded) for the award ceremony.

Besides, the song has already crossed half a billion streams on YouTube and Spotify. In just 54 days, APT. became the fastest 2024 song to fetch over 1 billion plays on YouTube Music. The song also spent 40 days at #1 on iTunes worldwide songs chart and became the only 2024 track to achieve this milestone.

It also became the fastest song to surpass 2.5 million unique listeners on MelOn. BLACKPINK's Rosé’s APT. even sold over one million units in the US.