Malaysian Government Slams BLACKPINK Rosé's "APT." And Warns Parents

The Malaysian Ministry of Health has reportedly raised concerns over BLACKPINK Rosé and Bruno Mars‘s mega-hit “APT.” The ministry has deemed the song potentially “harmful.”

Despite the song’s widespread success, Malaysia has seemingly expressed concern due to the song’s representation of Eastern cultural values.

On its official social media, the Ministry questioned the song’s impact in a post asking, “Have you listened to Rosé and Bruno Mars’ ‘APT.’?” In their view, the song presents the concept of an “apartment” as a site of temptation, which they believe might subtly promote behaviors at odds with the values traditionally upheld in Eastern cultures.

The term ‘apartment’ in the song is used as a place of temptation, which normalizes behavior that conflicts with Eastern cultural values.

— Malaysian Ministry of Health

Their interpretation has led to concerns that the song could inadvertently encourage certain attitudes or behaviors in young listeners.

The Ministry also pointed out that “APT.” has become a popular background track for social media posts, blending seamlessly into daily life. The main worry seems to be that younger listeners, especially children, could be unintentionally exposed to the lyrics and start repeating them without understanding their potential implications.

What’s even more concerning is that this song is frequently used in social media videos, integrating into daily life. There’s a real risk that children may unknowingly sing along to these lyrics.

— Malaysian Ministry of Health

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They advised parents, educators, and community members to stay vigilant about Western cultural influences that enter local spaces. While they acknowledged that fans might defend or interpret the song in various ways, the Ministry emphasized that careful analysis of the lyrics and context is necessary to form an informed opinion.

As parents, educators, and members of society, we should be mindful of the unchecked acceptance of Western cultural influences. Of course, there may be various interpretations of this song from fans, but it’s crucial to analyze the lyrics and make personal judgments.

— Malaysian Ministry of Health

Meanwhile, Rosé’s collaboration with Bruno Mars has become a massive hit not only in South Korea but even beyond its borders. The song quickly soared to the top of music charts on platforms like Melon, Genie, and Flo, thanks to its catchy rhythm and memorable lyrics. Fans can expect more from Rosé when she releases her debut album, rosie, on December 6 with 11 more tracks accompanying “APT.”

Source: Kyunghyang