Rosé & Bruno Mars’ ‘APT.’ Sweeps Apple Music’s 2025 Year-End Charts: A Global Music Phenomenon
The music world is buzzing as Apple Music unveils its 2025 year-end charts, and the results are in: Rosé and Bruno Mars’ collaboration, ‘APT.’, has utterly dominated the global music landscape. This isn’t just a win for the artists; it’s a signal of shifting tastes and the power of cross-genre collaboration in today’s streaming era. For those following the pulse of music news, this is a story that demands attention – and a deep dive into what made ‘APT.’ so irresistible.
‘APT.’: A Four-Category Triumph
‘APT.’ didn’t just snag a single top spot; it swept four major categories on Apple Music’s global charts. The track claimed the number one position in ‘2025 TOP 100: Global’, ‘TOP 100: Shazam’, ‘TOP 100: Radio Chart: Global’, and ‘TOP 100: Songs with Outstanding Lyrics’. This remarkable achievement underscores the song’s broad appeal, its memorability (evidenced by Shazam’s popularity), and its resonance with radio listeners worldwide. It’s a rare feat, even amidst competition from heavy hitters like Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, and Drake.
(Image Placeholder: Rosé and Bruno Mars ‘APT.’ Album Art – Credit: Apple Music)
Korea’s Own Chart-Topper: Aespa’s ‘Whiplash’
While ‘APT.’ conquered the globe, Korea celebrated its own musical victory. Aespa’s ‘Whiplash’ took the top spot on the ‘2025 TOP 100: Korea’ chart, solidifying the group’s position as a leading force in K-Pop. Woods’ ‘Drowning’ followed closely in second place, with Rosé’s ‘toxic till the end’ rounding out the top three. This demonstrates the continued strength and diversity of the Korean music scene, and its growing influence on global trends.
Shazam Insights: What Korea Was Searching For
Apple Music’s data also revealed fascinating insights into Korean listeners’ music discovery habits. Day6 topped the list of most-searched artists on Shazam, followed by G-Dragon and Bruno Mars. Interestingly, Woods’ ‘Drowning’ was the most-searched song overall, indicating a strong preference for emotionally resonant tracks. Shazam, often used to identify songs heard in public or on the radio, provides a unique window into real-time music discovery.
Beyond the Charts: The Cultural Impact of ‘Golden’
The success wasn’t limited to chart-topping singles. The OST ‘Golden’ from the Netflix animation ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’, featuring EJAE, The Black Label producer Teddy, and Mark Sonnenblick, landed at number 15 on the ‘2025 TOP 100: Global’ chart. Its impressive performance – also ranking 4th in ‘Songs with Outstanding Lyrics’ and the ‘Sing’ chart – highlights the growing influence of K-Pop soundtracks and animated series on the global music stage. ‘Golden’ even broke records, holding the number one spot on Apple Music’s ‘Today’s Top 100’ for an astounding 70 consecutive days.
This year’s Apple Music charts aren’t just a list of popular songs; they’re a reflection of a dynamic music ecosystem. The rise of collaborations, the continued dominance of K-Pop, and the power of streaming platforms to amplify diverse voices are all key takeaways. As we look ahead to 2026, these trends are likely to continue shaping the sound of music worldwide. For music enthusiasts and industry professionals alike, staying informed about these shifts is crucial. Explore the full ‘Replay ‘25’ and year-end charts on Apple Music to experience the musical journey of the past year firsthand.
Reporter Kim Seung-hyeon [email protected] © dongA.com All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, and use of AI learning are prohibited.
