BLACKPINK’s Rosé recently released her collaboration song "APT." with pop star Bruno Mars on October 18, which has gained global popularity.
This has also brought renewed attention to veteran singer Yoon Soo Il’s "Apartment," originally released 42 years ago in 1982. Yoon Soo Il expressed his joy, saying, “I’m truly happy and it’s a reason to celebrate that my song is gaining interest again.”
During an interview on SBS Radio’s 'Kim Tae Hyun’s Political Show' on October 31, Yoon Soo Il commented, “Even regular apartments are redeveloped or rebuilt after 30 or 40 years,” drawing an analogy to the revival of his song.
As both Rosé’s and Yoon Soo Il’s versions of "Apartment" have grown in popularity, some netizens have even created remix versions combining the two songs, which Yoon Soo Il has also listened to. He explained, “My song was created with an analog sound during the analog era, while now we’re in the digital age. I was initially unsure if they’d mesh well, but it turned out to be a good blend. I think that’s why it’s attracting so much interest.”
While "Apartment" is often seen as a cheerful anthem, Yoon Soo Il originally composed it as a sad song. Inspired by the story of a friend who, as a soldier, visited his girlfriend’s apartment only to discover she had moved abroad without saying a word, Yoon Soo Il crafted the song in 1982. He recalled, “I wrote, ‘You couldn’t stay in your lonely apartment and left,’ on a scrap of paper after having a drink with my friend. When I got home, I composed the song in five minutes.”
When asked by the host whether the renewed enthusiasm among young people for "Apartment" is solely due to Rosé’s version, Yoon explained that apartments were a major cultural symbol when he wrote the song. “At that time, only a few apartments were starting to appear in Jamsil’s reed fields, and people had a dream of living in one,” he said. “Now, apartments are everywhere, but the original charm came from that dream.”
Regarding Rosé’s version, Yoon Soo Il said, “Rosé created a fresh take on the concept of ‘apartment’ with Bruno Mars, aligning it well with current trends. As someone who’s dedicated my life to music, I can say the sound, beat, and melody line are crafted to be appealing worldwide.” He added, “That’s why both the MZ generation and fans of the original song enjoy it.”
Yoon Soo Il expressed his desire to meet Rosé, stating, “She’s like a daughter or granddaughter to me, so it’s a bit of an age gap to meet her, but as I start new activities with a new album next year, I think we might cross paths someday. When we do, I’d love to treat her to a meal, offer warm encouragement, and extend my congratulations.”
He continued, “Thanks to Rosé’s version of 'Apartment,' the global standing of K-pop has risen, gaining recognition and influence. The love from those who cherished my music 40 years ago and the fans of today’s K-pop is a driving force for musicians who venture into creative challenges and produce new music, and I’m immensely grateful for that.”
Yoon Soo Il concluded by saying, “With the public’s ongoing interest and support, I believe that future generations of musicians will create even better songs, elevating our country’s cultural standing.”
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