Rosé, the 27-year-old global superstar and member of BLACKPINK, graces the cover of GQ Korea Magazine’s February 2025 issue, captured by fashion photographer Kim Hee June. In charge of styling was Yun Ae Ri, with fashion direction from Park Na Na and Shin Ki Ho, and set design by Kwon Do Hyung. Beauty is work of hair stylist Lee Seon Yeong, makeup artist Won Jung Yo at Bit & Boot, and manicurist Park Eun Kyung. For the covers Rose is wearing selected pieces from Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello.
In the feature, Rosé reflects on her creative evolution, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between music and fashion. “Every performance, every outfit, it is all a part of telling my story,” she shares, highlighting how her stage presence and personal style fuse to communicate her artistic vision.
The interview explores her experiences navigating the pressures of international fame. Despite the challenges, Rosé remains grounded, attributing her resilience to the support of friends and fans.
Chart-Topping Success with “Apt.”
Rosé’s collaboration with Bruno Mars, “Apt.” continues to dominate global music charts. In the U.K., the track reclaimed its No. 1 spot on the Official Singles Downloads chart, marking its fourth non-consecutive week at the top. The song, which debuted on Halloween, has maintained a strong presence, consistently charting within the top 10.
On other U.K. charts, including the Official Streaming and Singles Sales charts, “Apt.” holds the No. 2 position, its highest ranking to date. While it has yet to conquer these lists fully, its steady climb reflects its enduring appeal. Meanwhile, the song’s physical sales also saw a boost, leaping from No. 58 to No. 26 on the Official Physical Singles chart.
Breaking Records in the U.S.
In the United States, Rosé’s success with “Apt.” has reached historic milestones. The track recently entered the top 10 on Billboard’s Radio Songs chart, making her the first solo K-pop artist to achieve this feat. Surpassing Psy’s record with “Gangnam Style,” which peaked at No. 12, Rosé has set a new benchmark for K-pop soloists in the highly competitive U.S. market.
Reflections on 2024 and a Promising Future
Rosé recently took to Instagram to share her reflections on 2024, a year she described as both challenging and rewarding. In her post, she expressed gratitude for the journey that led to the release of her debut album, rosie, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Highlighting her growth and the connections she’s made, Rosé wrote, “I can walk away from 2024 knowing that I’ve made lifelong friends, learned some insane life lessons, and put out my first full-length studio album.“
Looking ahead to 2025, Blackpink member Rosé is eager to build on her success. “Off to 2025 now! Bring it on,” she concluded, signaling an exciting year of new opportunities and projects for her ever-growing fanbase.
Photography © Kim Hee June for GQ Korea, see more at gqkorea.co.kr
