BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars’ new duet, “APT.,” has stirred controversy in Malaysia, where the Ministry of Health recently labeled the track “harmful music.”
On October 24th, the Ministry of Health of Malaysia posted a statement on Facebook, asking, “Have you heard Rosé and Bruno Mars’ addictive song ‘APT.’?” The post warned that “children might unknowingly repeat the lyrics without understanding their meaning,” suggesting that the song’s content could be inappropriate for younger listeners.
The Ministry specifically cited Rosé’s lyric, “Kissy face, kissy face, sent to your phone but I’m tryna kiss your lips for real,” and Bruno Mars’ line, “Turn this apartment into a club, I’m talkin’ drink, dance, smoke, freak, party all night,” as problematic, arguing that these references normalize behaviors contrary to traditional Eastern cultural values.
Additionally, the Ministry voiced concerns over the song’s popularity on social media, stating, “The widespread use of this song in social media videos could lead children to repeat the lyrics without understanding the implications. As parents, educators, and members of society, we must remain mindful of indiscriminately accepting Western cultural influences.”
Acknowledging that fans may defend the song, the Ministry urged listeners to evaluate the lyrics themselves, concluding, “It’s essential to analyze every aspect of the lyrics and make your own judgment.”
Malaysian netizens, however, were quick to react, with responses like, “So should we stop listening to breakup songs because they could cause depression?” and “When did the health department start critiquing foreign music?” Many fans defended “APT.” as a representation of Korean pop culture, with no intentions of harm.
>> Rosé’s ‘APT.’ Sets Records, but Faces Controversy Over Alleged Plagiarism
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