KPop Stars Shine Bright: Rosé's APT Tops IFPI Global Chart in 2025
KPop stars dominated the global music scene in 2025, with Blackpink singer Rosé's collaboration with Bruno Mars, APT, becoming the year's biggest hit, surpassing two billion streams. This marked the first time a non-English song topped the IFPI's annual global chart. Following closely was Golden by Huntr/x, the animated girl group from the popular Netflix series KPop Demon Hunters. The success of APT also marked a significant milestone as it was the first time an artist from outside North America or Europe topped the IFPI chart.
The song APT, although primarily in English, features some Korean lyrics at the beginning, adding a unique touch to the track. The chorus of the song repeats the word "아파트" (apateu), which means "apartment" in English. Victoria Oakley, the CEO of IFPI, described this achievement as a "landmark moment" in the music industry. The IFPI has been compiling these annual lists since 2007, showcasing the global impact of music.
Apart from Rosé's success, other notable artists made their mark on the global music scene in 2025. Mars had another hit in the top five with his collaboration with Lady Gaga on Die With A Smile, securing the fourth spot. US singer Alex Warren's Ordinary claimed the third position, while Benson Boone's Beautiful Things rounded out the top five. The chart also highlighted the dominance of songs released in previous years, with eight of the top 10 singles predating 2025.
Despite the global success of various artists, British musicians did not feature in the top 10 singles for the second consecutive year. However, Lola Young's breakout single Messy secured the 11th spot with over one billion streams. The influence of KPop was further evident with another track from KPop Demon Hunters, Soda Pop by Huntr/x's rival boyband Saja Boys, making it to the top 20.
The IFPI also announced Taylor Swift as the biggest global artist of 2025. While she only appeared once in the top singles with The Fate of Ophelia, the lead single from her album The Life of a Showgirl, securing the 19th spot. The list of top 20 albums of the year is set to be revealed on Friday, showcasing the diverse musical landscape of 2025.