Bruno Mars to Rosé: "Pick up the phone—I want to sing 'APT.' in Korea"

Pop star Bruno Mars has publicly called out BLACKPINK's Rosé ahead of his first Korean performance in four years. As he directly proposed a reunion performance of their global hit 'APT.' on a Korean stage, attention is focused on whether an actual joint performance can be realized.

During a recent interview with the MBC YouTube channel '14F', Mars mentioned his upcoming Korean performance while discussing his music and shows. He then suddenly sent a message toward Rosé, expressing his desire to "get her on stage."

Addressing Rosé, he said, "If you are listening or watching, let me know what I need to do to sing 'APT.' with you in Korea." He further expressed special anticipation for the moment the two would sing 'APT.' together in Korea again, describing it as "a moment that perfectly comes full circle."

His signature humor was not missing either. Mars joked, "If I can handle Rosé," before adding, "She's gotten expensive lately. She doesn't even pick up my calls anymore," drawing laughter. Rather than a simple promotional comment for a new song, he has publicly conveyed his intention to showcase the track they created together at the very starting point of its journey: Korea.

'APT.' is a track released as a collaboration between Rosé and Mars. It targeted the global popular music market with a unique title inspired by the Korean drinking game 'Apartment Game' and a repetitive chorus. It is evaluated as an example of how global K-pop expands, as it utilized Korean expressions—which were unfamiliar in Western pop music—as the core hook of the song while lowering linguistic barriers by combining a cheerful sound of rock, pop, and funk.

The song's success also served as a significant turning point for Rosé's individual solo activities. Having built global stardom as a member of BLACKPINK, Rosé used 'APT.' to simultaneously imprint her musical color and mainstream appeal while expanding her territory as a solo artist. Mars is also a singer-songwriter and performer who has accumulated global hits such as 'Just the Way You Are', 'Uptown Funk', '24K Magic', and 'That's What I Like'; thus, their collaboration drew attention as a fusion of pop music that transcends generations, nationalities, and genres.

The two have since showcased 'APT.' together on various global stages, demonstrating strong stage chemistry. In particular, they reaffirmed the song's global influence by winning in the 'Song of the Year' category at the '2025 MTV Video Music Awards'. It is noteworthy that beyond music release chart performance, their collaboration itself has expanded into a cultural event through award ceremonies and performances.

Against this backdrop, the symbolism of Mars seeking out Rosé again for his Korean performance is significant. Since 'APT.' grew into a global hit starting from Korean subject matter, if the original creators stand on one stage again before a Korean audience, it would be a scene that brings the song's narrative back to its starting point.

At the end of the interview, Mars also directly greeted Korean fans, saying, "Korea, I'm coming. We are going to party together," raising expectations for the concert. This is why the visit of a global pop star is received by domestic pop music fans as a cultural event beyond a simple concert.

Mars will hold his 'Bruno Mars - The Romantic Tour' in Korea for a total of four shows on May 21, 22, 25, and 26, 2027, at the Goyang Stadium Main Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do. This marks his first solo performance in Korea in approximately four years since 2023. As he proved his overwhelming ticket power in Korea by successfully leading a large-scale performance during his 2023 visit, high interest is expected for this upcoming concert as well.

Ultimately, what remains is Rosé's response. Since Mars has publicly proposed, "let me know what I need to do," if Rosé makes a surprise appearance at the actual performance to sing 'APT.' together, their collaboration is highly likely to lead to another talked-about stage targeting the global fandom. The key point to watch is whether the two, who shook the world with 'APT.', can meet again in Korea, the very starting point of that song.