Rosé and Bruno Mars perform "APT." as the opening act at the Grammy Awards in February. [Grammy Awards YouTube]
Rosé and Bruno Mars perform "APT." as the opening act at the Grammy Awards in February. [Grammy Awards YouTube]

Pop star Bruno Mars has sent a public invitation to Blackpink's Rosé, saying he wants to perform their global hit "APT." together when he comes to Korea next year.

Mars spoke about his upcoming May concerts in Korea in a recent interview with MBC's YouTube channel 14F.

"I've collected some very romantic songs — songs about the good and bad sides of love," he said. "I get to sing these songs live, and I'll be doing that in Korea very soon."

Mars then made his appeal directly to his collaborator. "We need to get Rosé on that stage," he said. "Rosé, if you're listening or watching this, tell me what I have to do to sing 'APT.' with you in Korea."

He described the prospect of performing "APT." together again at his Korea shows as "a full-circle moment" — before adding a playful caveat. "That is, if I can afford her," he said. "She's gotten expensive lately. Oh my God, she doesn't even answer my calls anymore."

Released in 2024, "APT." became the highest-charting song ever by a K-pop female artist on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 3, and earned three Grammy nominations at this year's ceremony. The two also performed together as the Grammy opening act this year to wide acclaim.

Mars will perform four times in Korea next year — on May 21, 22, 25 and 26 — at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. It will be his first solo concerts in Korea in about four years since 2023.


paq@heraldcorp.com