Controversy Surrounding BLACKPINK’s Rosé’s “APT.” Rejected by Malaysian Health Ministry

On October 25th, the Malaysian Ministry of Health took to their official Facebook page to critique the lyrics of “APT.,” a duet by Rosé and Bruno Mars. They posed the question, “Have you listened to the catchy track ‘Apartment, Apartment’?”

The health officials highlighted specific lyrics: “Kissy face, kissy face. Sent to your phone, but I’m trying to kiss your lips for real,” as well as “Turn this apartment into a club. I’m talking drink, dance, smoke, freak, party all night.”

They expressed apprehension about the use of the word “apartment” in a suggestive manner, suggesting it clashes with Eastern cultural principles. The ministry cautioned that the song’s extensive use in social media clips could normalize its themes, leading to children memorizing the lyrics without grasping their implications.

They underscored the importance of parents, teachers, and the community being vigilant and responsive to the growing unrestricted impact of Western influences.

In Malaysia, where Islam is the predominant religion and about 60% of the populace identifies as Muslim, the cultural landscape rigidly prohibits alcohol consumption among Muslims, regardless of their sect.

While some individuals concurred with the health ministry’s view that music is becoming more inappropriate, a significant number of locals reacted with skepticism. Comments on the post conveyed sentiments such as, “People just want to enjoy the melody. Should we retreat to caves?” and, “Anyone taking this seriously should get a brain scan,” according to Singapore-based entertainment outlet 8 Days.

In contrast, some have noted similarities between “APT.” and a track from Japanese artist Sawai Miku, released in 2013. However, experts in the industry have refuted these claims, clarifying that any similarities stem from common chord progressions utilized across various music styles. Unlike melody or rhythm, which could suggest an intentional imitation, chord progressions often appear similarly in numerous songs, rendering the plagiarism allegations as unfounded.

Moreover, AI-generated compositions replicating “APT.” have emerged, adding fuel to these accusations and inviting additional scrutiny. Netizens remarked, “People just want to undermine success,” and, “These accusations are unfounded and trivial.”

Since its October 18 release, “APT.” has celebrated many achievements, notably becoming the first track by a female Korean soloist to claim the top spot on the U.S. Spotify chart and leading the global Spotify Daily Top Songs chart. This pre-release single has heightened expectations for Rosé’s solo album, which is scheduled for release on December 6.