Rosé’s journey from being one-fourth of BLACKPINK to carving out her identity as a successful solo artist has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her path, though, hasn’t always mirrored the triumphs of her fellow members, as her earlier solo releases struggled to make a significant mark on the charts. However, that narrative changed with the release of “APT,” a pre-release track from her debut album Rosie.
“APT,” a playful anthem about a traditional Korean drinking game, featured a surprising collaboration with Bruno Mars. The song’s infectious charm and cross-cultural appeal propelled it to the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100—a feat none of BLACKPINK’s other solo ventures had achieved. This milestone marked a turning point in Rosé’s solo career, with her debut album Rosie breaking numerous records and establishing her as a global star in her own right.
Yet, alongside Rosé’s soaring success came an unintended consequence: the emergence of an emboldened and toxic faction of her fandom, the “Number Ones.” Empowered by Rosé’s newfound dominance, these fans took to social media to engage in aggressive fanwars, targeting not only other fandoms but also Rosé’s own BLACKPINK bandmates.
Among the primary victims of this animosity has been Jennie, another member of BLACKPINK and someone Rosé is publicly close to. Number Ones, driven by a misplaced sense of superiority, have relentlessly attacked Jennie, often using derogatory remarks and slut-shaming her on platforms like X (Formerly known as Twitter). The vitriol has extended to amplifying vile tweets from other fandoms, such as BTS’s ARMY, perpetuating unprovoked hatred toward Jennie.
This behavior starkly contrasts with the image Rosé herself has cultivated—one of humility, respect, and camaraderie. Despite Rosé’s evident affection for Jennie, Number Ones have justified their attacks as “clapbacks,” disregarding the harm their words inflict on the very individuals they claim to support.
The backlash from these actions has been twofold. Firstly, Jennie, who has already endured significant scrutiny throughout her career, continues to face baseless criticism and character attacks. The slut-shaming, in particular, has been a deeply troubling aspect of these fanwars, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and undermining Jennie’s accomplishments as an artist.
Secondly, the actions of Number Ones are beginning to tarnish Rosé’s public image. While Rosé has no direct involvement in these fanwars, the behavior of her most vocal supporters has cast a shadow over her achievements. The very fandom meant to celebrate her success has, in many ways, become a source of controversy, undermining the positive legacy Rosé has worked so hard to build.
