Rosé, Bruno Mars, KATSEYE win big at 2025 Video Music Awards
Rosé became the first K-pop artist to win Song of the Year for her collaboration track "APT" with Bruno Mars
Rosé winning Song of the Year at the 2025 Video Music Awards
MTV
Words by Daniel Anderson
Hosted by LL Cool J at UBS Arena in New York, the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards balanced mainstream megastars with a bright spotlight on talent of Asian descent. While Ariana Grande took home Video of the Year and Lady Gaga claimed four awards, including Artist of the Year, K-pop and other Asian artists had a big night, racking up monumental wins and major nominations across the board.
At the center of it all was Rosé of BLACKPINK, who emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners. She became the first K-pop artist to win Song of the Year for “APT,” her collaboration with Bruno Mars. It stood as one of the most nominated entries, competing in marquee categories including Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, and Best Visual Effects.
The K-pop singer, who went into the night with a career-best eight nominations, including a solo nod for Best K-pop with “Toxic Till the End,” delivered one of the show’s most emotional speeches, blending English and Korean. Dedicating the win to her 16-year-old self and to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, Rosé reflected, “Someone asked me the other day what my fear in life was and I was quite shocked at my own response. I had no idea how deeply personal this journey had been for me. I told them I feared that somewhere along this journey of pursuing my dreams I might hit a wall and disappoint my 16-year-old self who grew up always an oddball among society, who wished someday she could be herself and pursue her dreams like anyone else I saw on television.”
Holding the Moon Person award, she continued, “Twelve years later, I dedicate this award to my 16-year-old self who dreamed and to all those who have watched me grow into the artist I am today. Every single one of you has put me here…Now I believe there is no imposter in the world when MTV has given me this award at the VMAs.”
She thanked Mars, her parents, her sister Alice, longtime mentor Teddy from THEBLACKLABEL, her BLACKPINK bandmates Jisoo, Jennie, and Lisa, and her fans dubbed Number Ones. In one of the evening’s most quoted moments, she echoed advice from her therapist: “As my therapist tells me to do every day, I’d like to thank myself for not giving up, even in the toughest of times. And always remember—you’ve got you.”
Aside from “APT,” Mars also walked away with another victory, earning Best Collaboration alongside Lady Gaga for their duet “Die With a Smile.”
The night continued to showcase the global strength of K-pop with BLACKPINK taking home Best Group, beating out fellow nominees like aespa, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, KATSEYE and Coldplay.
Lisa won Best K-pop for her solo single “Born Again,” which featured Doja Cat and Raye. Other nominees in the category included aespa for “Whiplash,” Jennie for “Like Jennie,” Jimin for “Who,” Jisoo for “Earthquake,” and Stray Kids with “Chk Chk Boom.”
KATSEYE cemented their rising star status by winning MTV Push Performance of the Year for “Touch.” The global group from HYBE and Geffen Records also performed “Gnarly” and “Gabriela” as part of the evening’s pre-show performances. Conan Gray delivered a performance of his single “ Vodka Cranberry” during the main show.
Following their pre-show performance, KATSEYE mingled with KPop Demon Hunters vocal trio, EJAE, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna of HUNTR/X. The film’s flagship song “Golden” was also nominated for Song of the Summer. Nuna, wore a sleeping bag-inspired outfit in a nod to her character, Mira.
KATSEYE also debuted their own line of Labubu plush dolls designed in their likeness.
Charli XCX was recognized across multiple categories for her single “Guess” featuring Billie Eilish. She earned nominations for Video for Good, Best Direction, and Best Art Direction, ultimately taking home the Video for Good award.
Tyla’s “Push 2 Start” was nominated for Best Choreography and Best Afrobeats, winning the latter.
A full list of winners can be found here.
Published on September 8, 2025
Words by Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.