When you hear APT. by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars, you might wonder—what does "APT." mean? While it might seem like a simple reference to the word "apartment" in English, the true meaning is much deeper and rooted in Korean culture. In the song, APT. is a nod to the Korean drinking game called 'Apartment' (아파트), where the chant "아파트, 아파트" plays a key role.
What is the 'Apartment' Game?
The 'Apartment' (아파트) drinking game, popular in South Korea, plays a key role in ROSÉ and Bruno Mars' song APT.. Here’s how the game works:
Players sit in a circle and place their hands on top of each other in a stack, as if building an apartment with floors. The group begins by chanting “아파트, 아파트” four times.
After the chant, the person leading the game calls out a floor number, for example, “7층!” (7th floor).
At that point, starting from the bottom, players remove their hands one by one and place them on top of the stack. As each hand is removed, players count upwards from the bottom. The player whose hand is at the bottom when the called floor number is reached (in this case, the 7th person) loses and must take a drink.
It’s a fast-paced game that requires quick reflexes and attention, which makes it an exciting icebreaker at parties!
In the song APT., ROSÉ and Bruno Mars use the repeated "아파트" chant, cleverly linking the lyrics to this popular Korean drinking game, adding a playful cultural element to the track.
Korean Lyrics and Pronunciation Guide
If you're wondering how to read or sing along to the Korean parts of the song, here’s a breakdown of the Korean lyrics in Romanized form to help you understand and pronounce them better:
[Intro]
채영이가 좋아하는 (Chae-young-i-ga jo-a-ha-neun)
(Chae-young's favorite...
랜덤 게임 (Raen-deom ge-im)
(Random game)
랜덤 게임 (Raen-deom ge-im)
(Random game)
Game start
[Chorus: ROSÉ]
아파트, 아파트 (Ah-pa-teu, ah-pa-teu)
(Apartment, apartment)
아파트, 아파트 (Ah-pa-teu, ah-pa-teu)
(Apartment, apartment)
아파트, 아파트 (Ah-pa-teu, ah-pa-teu)
(Apartment, apartment)
Uh, uh-huh, uh-huh
아파트, 아파트 (Ah-pa-teu, ah-pa-teu)
(Apartment, apartment)
아파트, 아파트 (Ah-pa-teu, ah-pa-teu)
(Apartment, apartment)
아파트, 아파트 (Ah-pa-teu, ah-pa-teu)
(Apartment, apartment)
Uh, uh-huh, uh-huh
In the song, the "ah-pa-teu" chant is repeated throughout, echoing the same rhythm and fun as the Apartment drinking game. It's this cultural blend that makes APT. stand out, fusing both a catchy beat and a beloved Korean party tradition.
APT. and Korean Culture
By integrating this drinking game into the song, ROSÉ and Bruno Mars have brought a piece of Korean social life to a global audience. The fun and carefree nature of the 'Apartment' game reflects the song's overall vibe, mixing flirty lyrics with the playful chant. ROSÉ herself has explained that she introduced the game to her team during a studio session, and the song grew from there.
This cultural reference is what makes APT. unique. While English-speaking audiences might think "APT." refers to an apartment, the real meaning brings in a deeper layer of Korean tradition and fun. It’s more than just a song—it’s a celebration of togetherness, music, and party culture.
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