The sensational track “APT.” featuring BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars is making waves worldwide. Fans outside of Korea are not only enjoying the catchy tune but are also immersing themselves in traditional Korean drinking practices, such as classic drinking games and “somaek,” which is a blend of soju and beer.
After its debut, “APT.” quickly climbed the charts, clinching top spots on major Korean music streaming services like Melon, Genie, Bugs, and Vibe, dominating real-time, daily, and TOP100 rankings. It also soared to #1 on Spotify’s Global and U.S. Charts, as well as on iTunes charts across 40 regions. Remarkably, this achievement makes Rosé the first Korean female solo artist to reach #1 on the U.S. Spotify chart, marking a significant milestone.
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The song “APT.” takes its cue from the beloved Korean drinking game known as the “apartment game.” Rosé, who played a vital role in both the composition and lyrics, expressed her fondness for the game due to its enjoyable and straightforward nature, making it ideal for energizing social drinking events. While deeply embedded in Korean drinking culture, it has attracted global attention.
Social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram are brimming with videos of fans enthusiastically singing “APT.” and recreating the “apartment game.”
A standout moment was captured in a viral video from a club in Germany, where attendees were seen joyously singing along to “APT.” Likewise, on October 20th, clips circulated online of concert-goers at Bruno Mars’ show in Brazil chanting “A-pa-teu A-pa-teu” in harmony. The song has even earned its place as a beloved late-night anthem in Manhattan’s Koreatown.
Apart from general fans, the “APT.” craze has piqued the interest of international celebrities. American musician Charlie Puth shared a TikTok expressing his thoughts on the song, saying, “This is permanently stuck in my head, I think it’s an excellent song.”
@charlieputh This is stuck in my brain forever. Excellent song
The “APT.” phenomenon continues to grow, with an increasing fascination among foreigners for Korean drinking culture, including somaek, proper drinking etiquette, and a variety of drinking games. The song’s music video comments reflect a keen interest in these cultural practices.
A user named lonelytoixki noted how Koreans’ enjoyment of drinking games highlights their fun-loving spirit and expressed a desire to learn about additional Korean drinking games.
Following the release of the song, Rosé’s Vogue interview, where she showcased how to prepare kimchi fried rice, savor dried squid with mayonnaise and spicy sauce, and mix somaek, attracted global attention.
On Reddit, discussions regarding Rosé’s kimchi fried rice and somaek have become popular. User augustine05 shared, “I attempted to make somaek for the first time after watching Rosé’s video,” also mentioning, “While I can recreate the kimchi fried rice, I’m still nervous about trying the dried squid.”
Pioneers of somaek are sharing their own experiences in the process. User xalexaxanax remarked, “I tried preparing somaek with the red-capped soju as shown in the Vogue video, but it ended up being too strong for me,” and inquired about the preferred ratios used by others.
This song’s popularity has opened up discussions around Korea’s unique drinking etiquette, which stands out compared to other nations. Customs like covering the label with one hand and turning away when drinking in the presence of seniors have sparked intrigue as fascinating cultural variations.
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Conversations surrounding Korea’s distinctive drinking customs remain prominent on Reddit. A user, moomumoomu, explained, “In Korea, it’s respectful to cover the label and support the bottle with one hand while pouring for seniors,” noting that “You should receive drinks using both hands and turn your head away while drinking as a gesture of respect.”
Source: Daum
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