ROSÉ and LISA made history at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. In a landmark night for K-pop, the BLACKPINK members-turned-global-icons each took home major awards, cementing their solo dominance on one of music’s biggest stages. ROSÉ took home Song of the Year for her chart-topping collaboration ‘APT.’ with Bruno Mars, becoming the first K-pop artist ever to win the coveted award.
Dressed in a radiant butter-yellow sequin dress, ROSÉ delivered one of the night’s most emotional speeches, dedicating the win to her "oddball" 16-year-old self—“that wished someday she, too, could be herself and equally pursue her dreams just as well as anyone else I saw on television”—and thanking her BLACKPINK sisters and Bruno Mars for their support. Her speech resonated deeply with fans around the world, a powerful reminder of how far she’s come from her trainee days to pop royalty.
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Meanwhile, LISA secured Best K-pop for her dynamic hit ‘Born Again’ featuring Doja Cat and Raye, a genre-blurring anthem that topped charts and signaled a new sonic era for the Thai-born star. Though she wasn’t present at the VMAs, LISA appeared via pre-recorded message to thank fans for their unwavering support, saying, “I couldn’t have done it without you.” The win marked another first—she’s now the first K-pop soloist to win in the Best K-pop category.
‘Born Again’, pulled from her debut album Alter Ego, has been lauded for its bold vision and global appeal, solidifying her place as a solo artist with unstoppable momentum.
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These wins aren’t just about trophies. They cement a shift—an era where Asian artists aren’t just participants in pop’s global conversation, but its frontrunners. In one unforgettable night, ROSÉ and LISA reminded the world why the future of pop is already here—and it speaks fluent Korean.
Click here for the full list of winner.
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