History in the Making: Rosé is the First K-Pop Artist to Win at the 2026 BRIT Awards!
March 4, 2026
If you heard a collective “Cheers!” echoing all the way from Manchester to Seoul this week, you aren’t dreaming. The 2026 BRIT Awards just wrapped up, and the history books have officially been rewritten. Our favorite “Number One Girl,” Rosé, didn’t just attend the ceremony—she walked away with a trophy, becoming the first-ever K-Pop artist to win a competitive BRIT Award!
At D-Muse Magz, we’ve been tracking the “APT.” fever since it first dropped, but seeing it recognized on the UK’s biggest night for music hits different. Whether you’re a die-hard Blink or just someone who can’t get that “Apateu, Apateu” chorus out of your head, this win is a massive win for the global K-Pop community.
The Historic Moment: “APT.” Takes the International Stage
On Saturday, February 28, 2026, the BRIT Awards moved out of London for the first time in history, landing at the brand-new Co-op Live arena in Manchester. Amidst the rainy-city vibes and the high-octane British energy, Rosé claimed the trophy for International Song of the Year for her smash hit collaboration with Bruno Mars, “APT.”
This win is a huge milestone. While K-Pop giants like BTS and BLACKPINK (as a group) have been nominated before, the trophy had remained elusive—until now.
“It is such an honor to be receiving this award in front of so many talented and admirable musicians here in the UK,” Rosé shared during her emotional acceptance speech. “Bruno, I’m receiving this award on behalf of the both of us. Thank you for being my biggest mentor and best friend.”
She didn’t forget her roots, either, giving a heartfelt shoutout to her BLACKPINK sisters—Jisoo, Jennie, and Lisa—triggering a wave of “OT4” tears across social media.
Why “APT.” was Unstoppable
“APT.” wasn’t just a song; it was a 2024/2025 cultural phenomenon. Inspired by a popular Korean drinking game, the track blended K-Pop’s infectious energy with Bruno Mars’ classic funk-pop flair.
- Longevity: The song spent a record-breaking 45 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Global Reach: It topped the IFPI Global Singles Chart, making Rosé the first K-Pop artist to achieve that #1 spot.
- UK Love: The track peaked at #2 on the UK Official Singles Chart and stayed in the Top 100 for over a year.
The 2026 BRIT Awards: Complete Winners List
While Rosé stole our hearts, the night was a massive celebration for British talent, with Olivia Dean emerging as the night’s biggest winner. Here is the full rundown of who took home the “Manchester-inspired” trophies:
| Category | Winner |
| Artist of the Year | Olivia Dean |
| Album of the Year | Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving |
| Song of the Year | Sam Fender & Olivia Dean – “Rein Me In” |
| Group of the Year | Wolf Alice |
| Best Pop Act | Olivia Dean |
| International Artist of the Year | ROSALÍA |
| International Song of the Year | ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” |
| International Group of the Year | Geese |
| Breakthrough Artist | Lola Young |
| Producer of the Year | PinkPantheress |
| Songwriter of the Year | Noel Gallagher |
| Lifetime Achievement | Ozzy Osbourne (Posthumous) |
K-Pop’s Growing UK Presence
The 2026 ceremony felt particularly “Gold.” In addition to Rosé‘s historic win, the night featured a pre-recorded performance by HUNTR/X (Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami)—the voices behind the K-Pop Demon Hunterssoundtrack. This marked the first time K-Pop performers were part of the official BRITs lineup, proving that the UK market is officially obsessed with the Hallyu wave.
The D-Muse Final Verdict
At D-Muse Magz, we’re calling 2026 the year K-Pop finally broke the “International” barrier at the BRITs. Rosé winning for “APT.” is proof that when you combine a catchy Korean cultural hook with global pop production, the world listens—and votes!
As Rosé prepares for the next leg of her Rosie solo journey and BLACKPINK continues to dominate with their latest EP Deadline, one thing is certain: the “Main Character” era of K-Pop soloists is just getting started.
Did you scream at your TV when you saw Rosé win? Or were you too busy manifesting a full BLACKPINK reunion tour for 2027? Let us know in the comments—and tell us, what’s your favorite track from the Rosie album so far?
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