The song “APT.” by Rosé (BLACKPINK) and Bruno Mars has created a global sensation but has unexpectedly been banned in South Korea. The reason behind this ban is the “addictive” melody of the song, which causes students to lose focus during class, especially while preparing for the rigorous college entrance exams.
Since its release, “APT.” has achieved PAK (Perfect All-Kill) status 32 times, confirming its strong appeal. Fans were surprised that this song not only made an impression on music charts but also quickly spread on social media, becoming an essential part of young people’s lives. Some students even felt that it should be banned in hospitals, as a video surfaced showing a young man who had just undergone surgery still “dancing” to the tune.
This is not the first time a K-pop song has faced a ban during exam season. Previously, other hits like “Next Level” by aespa, “Zimzalabim” by Red Velvet, and “Ring Ding Dong” by SHINee have encountered similar situations. This ban not only reflects the influence of music on youth but also highlights concerns about students potentially being distracted during their study sessions.
Although “APT.” is an English song, its catchy melody and cheerful sound have quickly turned it into a phenomenon in South Korea. The song has not only been loved by the youth but has also garnered support from various other artists, creating a new wave of music within the community.
In addition, it’s not just “APT.” that has faced bans; other BLACKPINK songs have also encountered issues. Specifically, Jennie’s “Mantra” and Jaehyun’s (NCT) “Unconditional” were removed from KBS broadcasting due to violating advertising regulations. While this is not a permanent ban, KBS stated that they might reconsider airing the songs if the issues in the lyrics are amended.
Despite being banned during exam preparations, this situation undoubtedly reflects a “ban” that many K-pop artists would wish to have, as it demonstrates the power and influence of the song. The sensation surrounding “APT.” will certainly continue to attract public attention and become a hot topic of discussion in the coming times.
