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TWS stands out as the breakout K-pop group of last year.Debuting on Jan. 22, 2024, with their first mini album Sparkling Blue, TWS quickly became the talk of the K-pop industry. Their debut single “Plot Twist” soared to the top of multiple Korean charts, including on Apple Music. Remarkably, it became the first boy group track in six years to claim the No. 1 spot on Melon’s annual chart, following iconic hits like BIGBANG’s “Bang Bang Bang” and iKON’s “Love Scenario.”
“Plot Twist” captures the emotions of excitement and nervousness that students feel when entering a new school for the first time. While K-pop boy groups in recent years have leaned heavily on powerful, high-energy tracks, TWS took a different approach. The group incorporated a Future Bass genre as the foundation to their music, emphasizing emotional resonance.
“I think the biggest change is that the barriers between the members are gone. Back then, we were still a bit awkward and reserved around each other, but now we care and think about each other like family,” the group shared. Much like the initial excitement they sang about in their debut track, TWS has continued to grow over the past year. They are now preparing to show a more mature side to their artistry.
Below, you’ll find an exclusive interview capturing the fresh and youthful spirit of TWS as they reflect on their journey so far.
You’re approaching your first anniversary since debut. What has changed the most compared to a year ago?
SHINYU: Compared to a year ago, I think the biggest change is that the barriers between the members are gone. Back then, we were still a bit awkward and reserved around each other, but now we care and think about each other like family. As time passes, I feel that these bonds will only grow stronger, so I’m looking forward to what’s ahead of us.
Your debut track “Plot Twist” became a hit right from the start. How did that feel at the time? Why do you think people connected with it so strongly?
JIHOON: We were so grateful that it received so much love from the beginning. Since it’s our debut track that captures our youth, I feel even more thankful that people connected with it more than we could have ever hoped for.
TWS has won the most “Rookie of the Year” awards among male groups that debuted in 2024. What do you think it is about TWS that draws people in?
YOUNGJAE: Thankfully, in our debut year, 2024, we were honored to receive the “Rookie of the Year” along with several other unexpected awards. It wouldn’t have been possible without the many staff members who worked tirelessly to support us, and our members who dedicated themselves to training until we debuted as TWS. We try to give our very best in every performance, and I believe that’s why our music and TWS as a group were able to earn recognition and love from people.
Last year, you told school stories through your debut album Sparkling Blue, your second mini-album SUMMER BEAT!, and your first single Last Bell—from the start of the “Plot Twist” to the “Last festival.” What stories or themes do you want to showcase in 2025?
JIHOON: I think we would like to share our story about how we’ve grown since our awkward first meeting, embracing and accepting various emotions, and how we have developed to express our heartfelt feelings. In addition to that, we hope to showcase a wider variety of music styles.
“Last Festival” is a reinterpretation of the legendary track of the same name, a song hailed as transformative in K-pop music history. It also marked a departure from the refreshing style TWS is known for. Are there any other songs you’d like to reinterpret?
DOHOON: We would love to reinterpret a song by SEVENTEEN, whom we have admired since our trainee years, and if given the opportunity, we would like to explore various genres and reimagine songs in our unique style!!
All of TWS members are reportedly introverts. Is there a big difference between your usual selves and your on-stage personas? Are you naturally a bit shy in daily life?
HANJIN: Yes, I’m usually very quiet and shy. When I’m in a new environment, I get nervous a lot and it takes me a while to warm up to new people. But when I’m on stage, I feel like a completely different person. As soon as the music starts, I naturally find myself immersed in the moment, and I’m actually amazed at the changes myself. At first, the confident version of myself felt quite unfamiliar to me, but over time, I’ve come to accept that ‘this is also a part of me.’ These days, I want to show 42s both my stage version and my everyday self.
TWS hasn’t held a solo concert yet. Do you have a vision in mind for what your solo concert would look like?
KYUNGMIN: As we are approaching our first fan meet soon, I’m really excited and looking forward to that day! If we do hold a headline concert, I think we’ll be able to showcase a variety of performances and connect with even more 42s, so I hope it’ll happen one day.
If you imagine TWS 10 years from now, what kind of group do you think you’ll be?
SHINYU: Even after 10 years, I believe that all the members in TWS will be giving their best in every moment and remain a group that pours in their heart into every performance on stage. It would be great to gather regularly for meals together. Even after 10 years, our modakbul (translates to bonfire: a term TWS use to describe an honest conversation time among the members) will still be burning bright!
Shinyu, as the leader and anchor of the team, you’re also a rapper. Many rappers take part in writing and composing their own songs. Are you interested in that as well? If so, what themes or stories would you like to explore in your lyrics?
SHINYU: I want to write a song for 42s, our fans. 42s have always been, and will continue to be, the driving force behind TWS and they are the reason why we continue to move forward. That’s why I want to give my heartfelt song as a gift and I think I’ll enjoy the whole process of creating it!
Dohoon, you’re known for your keen sense of fashion. What styles or trends are you drawn to these days? Even within the group, you’re recognized as a trendsetter! Have you ever thought about taking charge of the group’s styling one day?
DOHOON: I’m into eyewear these days!! It’s nice to add a stylish touch to my outfit, so I’m using it often! From sunglasses to rimless glasses, I like to choose what I wear based on my mood for the day.
Youngjae often mentioned self-awareness and diligence as key personal traits. How would you describe the Youngjae of today, and what kind of person do you aspire to become? How does that reflect in TWS’s performances or music?
YOUNGJAE: Right now, I feel like I’m becoming someone who has an open heart and embraces those around me with the energy that I draw from taking care of myself and understanding who I am. Moving forward, I want to become a person who pursues what I want with confidence and isn’t afraid of success or failure.
Hanjin, you’re turning 20 this year (Korean age)! What’s something you’ve always wanted to do at 20, and have you done it yet?
HANJIN: When I was young, I had a list of things that I wanted to do by the time I turned 20 years old— travelling alone, getting a new hobby, and becoming a more mature person. I haven’t achieved all of them yet, but I’m finding myself cherishing the precious moments in my daily life these days. Moments like spending time with my members and meeting 42s on stage have become special experiences of my 20s. Going forward, I want to make my 20s meaningful and special in my own way.
Jihoon, you’ve shown a lot of interest in dance. From hip-hop, tutting, krump, you’ve explored various genres. What style of dance has been catching your eye lately?
JIHOON: I’ve been focusing more on choreography rather than a specific genre these days. I’m practicing to apply the same sense of movement I use in freestyle to a choreography-focused routine.
Kyungmin, as the only member still connected to TWS’s school-themed concept by age, you’re uniquely positioned. With about a year left before you graduate, have your older members shared any advice or insights with you?
KYUNGMIN: There’s something that my older members always tell me, which is, to make lots of friends and memories when I’m at school! I only have about a year left, so I really want to make even greater memories!!
DOHOON
Image Credit: PLEDIS Entertainment
I love it when fans call me: “Flame Prince.” I feel like it’s the coolest of all my nicknames and it suits me well.
My favorite song at the moment: “My Turn” by SZA. I’ve always listened to SZA’s songs, and she recently released a new album, so I’m enjoying the album as a whole these days!
But my favorite song of all time is: “plot twist” by TWS. I’ve loved this song since the very first time I heard it and it left a strong impression on me ever since.
JIHOON
Image Credit: PLEDIS Entertainment
I love it when fans call me: “Jellyfish.” I have many reasons for liking jellyfish, and every time 42s call me by this nickname, I feel uplifted for those reasons.
My favorite song at the moment: “luther (with sza)” by Kendrick Lamar. It’s very much my style and I listen to it a lot when I practice to get refreshed.
But my favorite song of all time is: “Numb” by Men I Trust. I believe it’s a song you can enjoy anytime, anywhere and I particularly love the vibe and energy this song carries.
KYUNGMIN
Image Credit: PLEDIS Entertainment
I love it when fans call me: It’s “Kyungtaengi.” This nickname was actually created before my debut which makes it even more meaningful. I feel so thankful hearing 42s still call me that.
My favorite song at the moment: “What kind of future” by WOOZI of SEVENTEEN. His voice is very soothing, and the melodies really touch my heart.
But my favorite song of all time is: “plot twist” by TWS. This is our debut song that made us who we are today, which is why it holds such a special place in our hearts.
YOUNGJAE
Image Credit: PLEDIS Entertainment
I love it when fans call me: “Chun-i.” It’s a nickname created by our vocal trainer who has been with us since I was a trainee, and 42s also show lots of love for this name as well.
My favorite song at the moment: “Wandering youth” by Choi Yu Ree. I’ve always loved and listened to Choi Yu Ree’s songs often to gain comfort and strength. This song feels like it embraces my youth as I turn 21 years old.
But my favorite song of all time is: “I’ll be a grown up for you” by Park Jin Hwi. To some, it might feel a bit deep or intense, but I believe that there sometimes needs to be darkness in order for the light to have a place to shine.
HANJIN
Image Credit: PLEDIS Entertainment
I love it when fans call me: All the nicknames that 42s give me are very special, but my favorite one is “Han Jin-i.” It just feels very warm and friendly. Whenever they call me “Han Jin-i” I can feel their love, which makes me happy and full of energy. I’m also doing my best to call 42s with the same warmth that I receive.
My favorite song at the moment: The song that I listen to a lot these days is “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. When I listen to this song, I feel at ease and every line of the lyrics gives me a sense of comfort. Even though there are times I feel a bit tired on a busy day, this song becomes a source of strength and a driving force to keep moving forward. Someday, I hope that I can share music that brings this kind of comfort to someone.
But my favorite song of all time is: Since I was young, I loved listening to Taylor Swift’s “Lover”. This song has a very special meaning to me. It makes me happy whenever I listen to it and I like how you can always feel the warmth of love with each listen. When I find myself going back to the song that I loved as a child even after all these years, it reminds me once again how powerful music is.
SHINYU
Image Credit: PLEDIS Entertainment
I love it when fans call me: “Dumpling.” It’s a nickname I actually really like, and I think it suits me well since my cheeks are stretchy.
My favorite song at the moment: “Good Memories” by Gist. I’ve been loving this song the most lately because I can easily enjoy it every time I listen and it has a really memorable melody that sticks with me.
But my favorite song of all time is: “I got lucky” by Kwon Jin Ah. I’ve enjoyed listening to this song for a long time and many parts of the lyrics resonate with me, making it my steady favorite.
TWS
Image Credit: PLEDIS Entertainment
“Compared to a year ago, I think the biggest change is that the barriers between the members are gone,” SHINYU says. “Back then, we were still a bit awkward and reserved around each other, but now we care and think about each other like family. As time passes, I feel that these bonds will only grow stronger, so I’m looking forward to what’s ahead of us.”
It goes without saying that on the upcoming third season of Max’s rich-people-behaving-badly-in-paradise smash, The White Lotus, things are not going great. As usual, director/writer/creator Mike White has gathered a yacht-load of A-list and character actor killers for the latest edition of the show, described in a release as a social satire set “at an exclusive Thai resort,” which once again follows the exploits of guests and employees over the span of a tumultuous week.
The new trailer for the eight-episode seasons slated to premiere on Feb. 16 also puts a further spotlight on BLACKPINK‘s LISA, who makes her acting debut in the series alongside stars Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walter Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Michella Monoghan, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Natasha Rothwell, the latter serving as the only known returning cast member from season two.
As in a previous sneak peek, we see Lisa (listed in the credits by her full name: Lalisa Manobal), as both a prim staff health mentor at the resort, as well as a dancer in a traditional glittering headpiece entertaining guests at a late-night beach party.
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Over a montage of sex, fireworks and screaming, an off-camera voice warns: “at the end of the week, you will be an entirely different person,” followed by the maxim/warning, “what happens in Thailand, stays in Thailand.” The eponymous resort is, of course, the real star, serving as a hedonistic playground for the rich and entitled, and, if the trailer tells us anything, as well as the site of at least one murder.
Bibb, Coon and Monoghan play a trio of longtime friends escaping on a girls’ trip, with Lisa making her first appearance as a smiling, waving guest greeter as the series stars arrive on a luxury yacht. “I hope you enjoy Thailand,” she says with a smile to Posey and husband, wealthy businessman Timothy Ratliff (Isaacs).
As in past seasons, the first trailer introduces us to the couples, families and friends looking for a reboot getaway, immediately setting up some of the simmering tensions/personality conflicts in their relationships. Lisa’s character, named Mook, gives a wan smile and joins a fellow employee for a traditional dance mid-way through the preview, with a voiceover intoning, “everyone comes to Thailand, they’re either hiding from someone or they’re looking for someone.”
When Isaacs’ character learns that his fortune has been wiped out things begin going haywire, with a masked gunman holding up a luxury shop, leading a White Lotus security guard to lament “I don’t want to hurt anyone” as he hits the gun range for practice.
“You have to be stronger than this to do this job,” Lisa’s Mook tells him in Thai. As tensions begin to flare cracks show in the various relationships, leading a final, chaotic montage of sex, partying, gunplay and, as usual, at least one bodybag. As with past seasons, White has kept the details of the plot a closely guarded secret so far.
Lisa follows fellow BLACKPINK member JENNIE into the acting lane, with the latter making her debut in the one-season-and-done HBO music drama The Idol, which starred Lily-Rose Depp and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye.
Watch the season 3 The White Lotus trailer below. The White Lotus season 3 debuts on HBO at 9 p.m. on Feb. 16 and will be available to stream on Max afterwards.
After BLINKs sniffed out a possible Valentine’s Day surprise two weeks ago when BLACKPINK’S JISOO shared a cryptic teaser hinting at a mystery project coming in February, the singer confirmed their suspicions on Sunday (Jan. 26). Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The long-awaited details of JISOO’s debut […]
Just days after announcing her debut solo album, Jennie has released the music video for her new song “Zen.”
On Friday (Jan. 24), the 29-year-old BLACKPINK star surprised fans with the visually stunning video, directed by Cho Gi-Seok. The three-and-a-half-minute clip follows Jennie as she journeys through cosmic landscapes, showcasing a range of looks that are both elegant and futuristic.
“Nobody gon’ move my soul, gon’ move my aura, my matter/ Nobody gon’ move my life, gon’ touch my goal, my matter/ Nobody gon’, all this power make them scattеr/ No, nobody gon’ touch my soul, gon’ match my flow, like damn,” Jennie sings on the track.
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Earlier this week, Jennie announced that her first solo album, Ruby, will be released on March 7. The project features an impressive roster of collaborators, including Childish Gambino, Dua Lipa, Doechii, Dominic Fike, FKJ and Kali Uchis.
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Ruby will contain 15 tracks, including her October 2024 single “Mantra,” which hit No. 2 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Global 200.
In a recent interview with Billboard, Jennie reflected on the deeply personal journey of creating Ruby.
“It’s not nice to be someone who’s always like, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t say anything,’ ” she said of the project she began in early 2024. “I want to say I’m almost there.” Acknowledging the challenges she faced along the way, she added, “I’m just going to say, ‘I don’t do well with time.’”
But “Zen” wasn’t the only surprise Jennie dropped on Friday. She also announced that she’ll be embarking on a three-city tour to celebrate the release of Ruby. The Ruby Experience will visit Los Angeles (March 6), New York City (March 10) and Seoul (March 15).
“Intense and intimate as I like it,” Jennie captioned the announcement on Instagram.
Check out Jennie’s music video for “Zen” below on YouTube.
ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” becomes the first No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart by an act prominent in K-pop (Korean pop), as it jumps three spots to the top of the latest, Feb. 1-dated survey.
A week earlier, the song surpassed BTS’ “Dynamite,” which peaked at No. 5 on the radio ranking in December 2020, as the highest charting such Pop Airplay hit. “Dynamite” remains the only top five hit on the tally by a K-pop group.
“APT.,” on The Black Label/Atlantic Records, marks the first Pop Airplay chart entry for ROSÉ as a soloist; star K-pop quartet BLACKPINK has charted two tracks (reaching a No. 21 best) with her as a member.
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Mars, meanwhile, earns his 11th Pop Airplay No. 1 — one-upping Justin Bieber for the most among male soloists since the chart began in October 1992. Overall, Taylor Swift boasts a record 13 leaders, followed by Maroon 5, Mars, Katy Perry and Rihanna with 11 each, and Bieber and Ariana Grande with 10 each.
The Pop Airplay chart ranks songs by weekly plays on over 150 mainstream top 40 radio stations monitored by Mediabase, with data provided to Billboard by Luminate.
A select five hits by acts prominent in K-pop have climbed to the Pop Airplay top 10, beginning with PSY’s “Gangnam Style” in 2012. That viral smash and “APT.” are the only such songs billed to solo artists. Here’s a recap:
No. 1 (one week to date), “APT.,” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars, Feb. 1, 2025
No. 5, “Dynamite,” BTS, Dec. 19, 2020
No. 7, “Cupid,” Fifty Fifty, Aug. 5, 2023
No. 7, “Butter,” BTS, Aug. 7, 2021
No. 10, “Gangnam Style,” PSY, Oct. 27, 2012
Pop Airplay chart reporter KMVQ (99.7 Now) San Francisco leads all panelists with more than 1,500 plays to date for “APT.,” dating to the single’s Oct. 18 release. WHTZ (Z100) New York, KIIS (102.7 KIIS-FM) Los Angeles and SiriusXM’s Hits 1 and TikTok Radio have also given the song notable exposure.
“APT.” – from ROSÉ’s album rosie, her first apart from BLACKPINK – has ruled the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts for 11 and 12 weeks, respectively. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song holds at its No. 5 high, with ROSÉ having become the first female K-pop artist to have reached the chart’s top five.
All charts dated Feb. 1 will update Tuesday, Jan. 28, on Billboard.com.
J-Hope thrilled a crowd of 35,000 at Paris’ Le Gala des Piéces Jaunes at La Défense Arena charity gala on Thursday with a three-song set of his solo and group hits. The BTS singer performed at the show led by French First Lady Brigette Macron, who, according to a statement, specially requested he open the event.
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Dressed in billowing black cullotes, a pattered jacket and black leather gloves, the K-pop superstar took the stage after the audience chanted his name as he worked through a set of his solo songs “On the Street” — from 2024’s Hope on the Street Vol. 1 mini-LP — and “More” from his debut solo album, Jack in the Box, as well as the BTS classic “MIC Drop.” The latter two were re-arranged into orchestral pieces, “adding a layer of grandeur and intensity,” according to the statement.
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It noted that the high-point was an energetic run through “MIC Drop,” which reportedly caused the crowd’s energy to skyrocket “as they chanted the track’s official cheer in unison.”
“It’s been such a long time since I performed in Europe, and I’m so happy to have been invited to such a meaningful event,” J-Hope said in the statement. “I’ve once again realized how incredible it is to bring hope and comfort to people through music and dance. I’m beyond grateful to ARMY for their unwavering support, and I’d love to return to perform again whenever I get the chance.”
The show organized by the Opération Pièces Jaunes foundation — which is led by the First Lady, who also chairs the charity – was a fundraiser for hospitalized children and teenagers; the entire show, which also featured sets by Katy Perry, J Balvin, Burna Boy and John Legend, will be broadcast on France’s national channel, France 2, on Tuesday (Jan. 28).
It appeared that the performers were gifted with an oversized croissants, with Perry posting a series of photos and videos in which she cradled and crunched into the comically large pastry.
As BTS fans await the group’s expected return this year after all its members complete their mandatory South Korean military service, J-Hope recently teased “new music on the way” and announced the dates for his upcoming first-ever solo tour, Hope on the Stage, which will kick off in his native Seoul on Feb. 28.

Attendees at this weeks’ Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2025 runway show got an unexpected treat when LV men’s creative director Pharrell Williams debuted his new collaboration with K-pop superstars SEVENTEEN during Tuesday’s (Jan. 21) show. The mid-tempo track with a low-pitched, bassy bottom, “Bad Influence,” features group members S. Coups, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, The8, DK, Seungkwan, Vernon and Dino singing about having a good time while worrying about the consequences.
On the woozy chorus, Seungkwan, Hoshi, Coups and DK cronning: “Bad influence, you had to do it/ Oh every time yeah, enough of you/ Bad influence you had to do it/ You wanna have a good good night.”
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“We are happy and honored to collaborate with Pharrell Williams, whom we have deeply admired for a long time,” said the members of the 13-person group who worked on the track in a statement; members Mingyu, Joshua, Jun and Woozi are not listed as participants on the song. “We truly enjoyed the creative process which showcases a new side of ourselves. We hope to connect with more listeners worldwide through this collaboration.”
The track was written and composed by Williams for the Paris LV show — which also featured bits of Don Toliver and BTS member J-Hope’s new single, “LV Bag,” and Playboi Carti’s “Timeless” — and represents the group’s latest team-up with an A-list collaborator. It follows on the heels of their collabs with Charli XCX (“Beg For You”), Pink Sweat$ (“17”), New Kids on the Block (“Dirty Dancing”), DJ Khaled (“Love, Money, Fame”), Marshmello (“SOS”) and Anne-Marie (“World”), among others.
SEVENTEEN released their 21-track greatest hits collection, 17 Is Right Here, in 2024, spotlighting such beloved hits as “Maestro,” “Rock With You,” “HOT” and “Super.” They wound-down the year with the Spill the Feels EP, which included the Khaled track, which they performed at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards.
Watch video from the song’s premiere below.
ROSÉ has now added dance teacher to her resumé. In a new YouTube Short posted to The Kelly Clarkson Show‘s account, Kelly Clarkson tells ROSÉ that she “heard” about a viral dance to the tune of the K-pop star’s Bruno Mars collaboration, “APT.,” asking, “I love dancing, so can you teach me and maybe some […]
ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” is now solely the highest charted song by an act prominent in K-pop (Korean pop) on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart, as it ascends a spot to No. 4 on the latest, Jan. 25-dated ranking. The song surpasses BTS’ “Dynamite,” which peaked at No. 5 on the radio ranking in December […]
ROSÉ of BLACKPINK had no choice but to get honest about her relationship with Jaden Smith in a new interview with Vanity Fair.
While hooked up to a lie-detector test for the Thursday (Jan. 16) episode of the publication’s web series, the K-pop star first addressed whether her song “Toxic Till the End” is about the Karate Kid star — with whom she’s previously been spotted hanging out. The track — which appears on ROSÉ’s December debut album rosie — finds the performer singing about a manipulative ex who was “jealous and possessive.”
“No, it’s not about Jaden Smith,” ROSÉ clarified, passing the lie detector’s assessment with flying colors. “He’s a good friend, though.”
“Hi, Jaden,” she added, waving to the camera. “Miss you lots.”
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The musician was then asked point-blank if she and Smith have ever dated, to which she gave a straightforward “no.” When the test administrator quickly confirmed that she was telling the truth, ROSÉ nodded and laughed.
“Toxic Till the End” became ROSÉ’s third Billboard Hot 100 entry in December, reaching No. 90 on the chart. rosie also spawned the girl group star’s first-ever top 10 hit with Bruno Mars duet “APT.,” which peaked at No. 5 earlier this month.
When the “Locked Out of Heaven” hitmaker and ROSÉ first announced in October that they had a collaboration in the works, Mars revealed on Instagram that the song’s title had been inspired by a Korean drinking game his duet partner had taught him one night. “Soon after, she tried to kiss me, and I was like ‘woah Rosie! what part of the game is this?’” he wrote at the time, to which ROSÉ replied, “what’s wrong with uuuu.”
To VF, ROSÉ confirmed that she, in fact, never tried to kiss him. “He’s a liar,” she said, laughing. “Bruno Mars is a liar.”
Watch ROSÉ talk about Smith, Mars and more above.