K-Pop continues to make waves around the world, and fans are now debating which songs truly define its international success.
Following Bruno Mars’s Billboard interview about his collaboration with BLACKPINK’s Rosé on “APT.” compared to the impact of PSY’s “Gangnam Style” Korean netizens have taken to a viral forum post to discuss the genre’s three biggest global hits.
The post has garnered over 66,000 views and 700+ comments, sparking lively discussion about K-Pop’s influence worldwide.
1. PSY – “Gangnam Style”
PSY is widely credited with paving the way for K-Pop’s global breakthrough. Released in July 2012, “Gangnam Style” became a viral sensation thanks to its catchy tune, humorous lyrics, and iconic horse-riding choreography.
The music video became the first in YouTube history to reach one billion views by December 2012 and also held the record as the most liked video at the time, cementing its place as a milestone in the international spread of K-Pop.
2. BLACKPINK’s Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
The unexpected collaboration between Rosé and Bruno Mars quickly became a global phenomenon. Released in October 2024, “APT.” captured international attention with its cross-genre pop sound, playful cultural references, and record-breaking streaming performance.
The track topped the Billboard Global 200 for multiple weeks, making Rosé the highest-charting female K-Pop soloist in the U.S., and reached the number-one spot in over 50 countries.
It also became the fastest K-Pop song to surpass one billion streams on Spotify, while its music video set records as one of the fastest by an Asian artist to achieve massive view counts on YouTube.
3. KPop Demon Hunters – “Golden”
The animated hit “Golden,” performed by the fictional girl group HUNTR/X (voiced by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami), became an international success following the Netflix release of KPop Demon Hunters.
The song topped the Billboard Hot 100, marking it as the first K-Pop girl-group track real or fictional to reach number one, and one of the few K-Pop songs to lead the chart globally.
Its crossover appeal extended beyond the typical K-Pop fandom, topping charts in major territories including the U.S. and U.K., dominating streaming platforms worldwide, and earning substantial radio play.
The discussion continues among Korean netizens, with some suggesting that songs like “Baby Shark” deserve at least an honorable mention for their global reach and influence.
4. KPop- “Baby Shark”
The conversation among Korean netizens underscores K-Pop’s undeniable global influence and its power to transcend language and cultural barriers.
From PSY’s iconic “Gangnam Style” to Rosé and Bruno Mars’s chart-topping “APT.” and the animated sensation “Golden,” these tracks have not only led charts worldwide but also captured the hearts of international audiences.
While fans continue to debate other worthy mentions like “Baby Shark,” one thing is certain: K-Pop’s impact on the global music scene is far-reaching and shows no signs of slowing down.
