Bruno Mars has come under fire from global K-pop fans after his recent comments about BLACKPINK’s Rosé sparked accusations of disrespect towards BTS. The controversy erupted following an interview with Advertising billboardin which the singer discussed the cultural impact of his hit collaboration with Rosé, “APT.”
In the interview, Bruno Mars praised the song’s global reception and compared its influence to PSY’s iconic 2012 hit “Gangnam Style”. He described “APT”. as a rare moment when a Korean artist introduces a new cultural wave to unfamiliar audiences, calling the experience “magical” and saying he’s “never seen it before.”
However, once excerpts of the interview circulated online, negative reactions quickly followed. Many netizens argue that Bruno Mars’ remarks ignored BTS’s revolutionary role in the globalization of K-pop long before “APT.” Fans pointed out that BTS has already reached historic heights on Western charts, sold out stadiums around the world, and reshaped the global perception of Korean pop music.
Criticism has intensified as some fans have accused Bruno Mars of selectively using BTS’s popularity in the past, while failing to recognize their contributions now. Some of the backlash also claimed that the comments carried with them racial or cultural insensitivity, suggesting that framing Rosé as the first Korean artist to “introduce this thing” erased years of BTS’s successes.
Rosé herself has also faced scrutiny in recent weeks for comments in separate interviews that some fans interpreted as downplaying BTS’s influence, further stoking tensions within the fandom.
While others have defended Bruno Mars, claiming his comments were intended to highlight his personal experience rather than rewrite K-pop history, the debate continues to divide fans online. At this time, neither Bruno Mars nor Rosé have released an official response to the controversy.
The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding K-pop’s global journey and the strong loyalty of fandoms when it comes to recognizing the artists who paved the way.
