BLACKPINK’s Rosé and pop icon Bruno Mars are taking the global charts by storm with their duet “APT.,” which has sparked unexpected plagiarism allegations.
Since its release on October 18th, “APT.” has racked up over 100 million views on YouTube in just five days and passed the 100-million-stream mark on Spotify within a week. By the 22nd, the track had topped Spotify’s Global Chart, and it debuted at No. 4 on the UK’s Official Singles Chart on the 25th—the highest charting position ever for a K-pop female artist. With this momentum, “APT.” is expected to make waves on the Billboard Hot 100.
However, some online communities are pointing to similarities between “APT.” and Japanese singer-songwriter Miku Sawai’s 2013 release “Gomen ne, Iiko ja Irarenai” (“I’m Sorry, I Can’t Be a Good Kid”). The song reached No. 37 on Japan’s Oricon chart and No. 87 on the Hot 100, gaining popularity in Japan. The primary allegation focuses on the similarity between the main melody in “APT.” at the 0:33 mark and “Gomen ne, Iiko ja Irarenai” at the 0:40 mark, with claims that the resemblance becomes more apparent when the tempo is adjusted.
While some critics call for an investigation, others argue that the similarity could be coincidental, a natural occurrence in collaborations. “APT.” credits eleven songwriters, including Bruno Mars and Rosé, as well as production groups Rock City and The Stereotypes. Many point out that such collaborations can sometimes result in melodies that echo prior works, noting that similar musical phrases have been used for centuries, from composers like Vivaldi and Bach to contemporary artists.
Amid the debate, Rosé is set to release her first full solo album, Rosie, on December 6th, featuring “APT.” as one of its twelve tracks. According to her label, The Black Label, “Rosé took part in writing and composing all the tracks on the album, sharing her own intimate and honest stories.”
>> BLACKPINK Thrives Solo and Together: Rosé Tops Charts, Jennie Wins on Music Shows
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