How Rosé, IU, and Jeon Soyeon Defied the Odds to Release Their Hit Songs

The music world is buzzing with the revelation that some of the most beloved songs, like Rosé's 'APT.' and IU's 'Through the Night,' almost never saw the light of day. Despite opposition from their agencies and others, these artists trusted their instincts and released these tracks, earning widespread praise for their vision and determination.

Rosé's collaboration with pop star Bruno Mars on the track 'APT.' became a global sensation, marking a historic achievement as the first K-pop female artist to break into the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has remained in the top ranks for seven consecutive weeks, captivating audiences with its catchy melody and addictive lyrics, and becoming a popular challenge track on platforms like TikTok.

Rosé revealed on the tvN variety show 'You Quiz on the Block' that 'APT.' might never have been released without her courage. She shared, "When I proposed the collaboration, Bruno Mars asked me to send three songs. I was certain that one of them had to be 'APT.'" Despite everyone around her advising against sending 'APT.,' Rosé secretly sent it, and Bruno Mars's reaction was overwhelmingly positive.

Like Rosé's 'APT.,' many songs have seen the light of day thanks to the artists' intuition, despite opposition. IU's hit 'Through the Night' is a prime example. During her appearance on KBS2's 'Conversation with Hee-yeol,' IU shared that she was confident about the song's success after hearing the English guide version, even though her agency thought it was too plain and abstract to be a hit.

IU was so sure of its potential that she pushed for its release, and her instincts proved right. 'Through the Night' became the first song to simultaneously top seven charts, including Melon, upon its release after the 2017 chart reform. It remains one of IU's signature tracks.

IU also trusted her instincts regarding the release time of her song 'Autumn Morning,' opting for a rare 7 AM release. Her agency was concerned about low streaming rates due to the unusual timing, but IU insisted, believing that people commuting in the autumn morning would appreciate the song. The track debuted at the top of major music charts and achieved a perfect all-kill.

Jeon Soyeon of (G)I-DLE is also known for her strong conviction in her work, persuading her company to release her songs. On JTBC's 'Knowing Bros,' she explained that she faced significant opposition from her company regarding the song 'Nxde' due to its provocative title. She even created a PowerPoint presentation to bolster her argument.

Her belief paid off as 'Nxde' shot to the top of major music sites within a day of its release, and the music video has garnered over 300 million views on YouTube, continuing to receive love from fans.

Rosé, IU, and Jeon Soyeon share the commonality of being singer-songwriters who compose and write their hit songs. Their experience in creating hits gives them insight into what resonates with audiences. Had they conformed to their agencies' opinions, fans might never have experienced these iconic tracks. It's fortunate that they trusted their instincts and followed their creative vision.