“Analyzing Lyrics is Essential” — Malaysian Ministry of Health Bans BLACKPINK’s Rosé & Bruno Mars’ ‘APT.’ Due to Cultural Concerns

On October 28, 2024, Sports Kyunghyang reported that the Malaysian Health Ministry has prohibited the latest track “APT”by BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars.

The Malaysian authorities have raised serious concerns regarding the new release from the BLACKPINK artist, “APT”. They flagged the song’s potential “harmful influence”on younger audiences and urged parents to oversee their children’s listening habits. Officials from the Ministry of Health issued a declaration labeling the song’s themes as inappropriate, suggesting it “undermines cultural values.”

“As guardians, educators, and community members, we must be cautious about the unexamined acceptance of Western culture influences. While there are varied interpretations of this song and many fans in support, it’s imperative to scrutinize the lyrics and form your own opinions.”

To provide some context, “APT”is pronounced “aa-paa-teh”in Korean, referring to an apartment. The Ministry of Health in Malaysia noted that the song could negatively influence the youth by promoting the “apartment”concept, which contradicts traditional Eastern cultural values and ethics. The song draws inspiration from a Korean drinking game, which runs contrary to Malaysian cultural principles.

“The term ‘apartment’ within the song implies a site of temptation, normalizing behaviors that are at odds with Eastern cultural values,”they commented.

Korean Students Restricted from Listening to BLACKPINK’s Rosé & Bruno Mars’ APT.

Although the song has garnered international acclaim for its infectious rhythm and the baritone vocals of Rosé and Bruno Mars, it has been added to the list of tracks banned for students in South Korea preparing for the CSAT. Newsen reported that the song was viewed as excessively catchy and distracting while students study for their exams.

Additional songs that have been banned for K-pop fans include SHINee’s “Ring Ding Dong”, aespa’s “Next Level”, and Red Velvet’s “Zimzalabim.”Korean students are prohibited from listening to these songs due to their highly engaging lyrics and melodies.

For those unfamiliar, specific tracks are often prohibited in South Korea during exam period as the captivating tunes may shift students’ focus away from their studies, threatening their concentration and study efficacy.

In related news, Rosé’s “APT”achieved a Perfect All-Kill on October 27, 2024, after clinching the top positions on major Korean music platforms, including Bugs, Genie Music, and MelOn. This milestone makes Rosé the first female K-pop solo artist to reach this achievement in 2024, following BLACKPINK’s “Pink Venom,”which topped Korean charts in 2022 and marked her as the first female member of a group to do so.

Moreover, “APT”broke into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10, debuting at No. 8 on October 29, 2024. Rosé shared this wonderful news with her followers through a post on her Instagram.

Additionally, Rosé is set to release her debut full-length album, titled “Rosie,”globally on December 6, 2024, featuring a total of 12 tracks.

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