BLACKPINK’s Rosé opened up about her thoughts on fame, freedom, and life as a global star in an exclusive interview with UK’s Dazed magazine for their Summer 2025 issue, released on May 29.
When asked what freedom means to her, Rosé said, “To me, freedom means being anonymous.” She explained how being famous comes with many restrictions. “I can eat a burger whenever I want, but there are many things I can’t do anymore,” she said. “Freedom is not being afraid of small things, being comfortable with friends without worrying about being misunderstood.”
Rosé even tried to experience what it feels like to be anonymous by dressing up as an old woman. “I hired a team to make me look about 60 years old with wrinkle prosthetics and a gray wig,” she shared. “I wanted to go out on the street and feel unnoticed.” But instead of feeling free, she became more nervous than ever. “I kept thinking people would see through my disguise and recognize me,” Rosé said. “That memory was so strong. I don’t think I will do that again.”
The singer also talked about her interest in acting. “Through acting, I want to become someone else for a moment and feel anonymous,” she said. She recalled a time in Europe when she spoke at a business event and mingled with European businessmen without being recognized, calling it “like heaven.”
When asked if she had a favorite member of the group One Direction, Rosé smiled but carefully avoided the question, saying, “I do, but I want to be careful because I know it will become a headline. It might cause controversy.” This showed how careful K-pop stars must be even with simple questions.
Rosé also showed caution when talking about winning a Grammy. “It would be really amazing,” she said, “but if it means more to our community, it would be special.” She added, “Words stay forever.”
Work-life balance is gone: "Even when I’m not working, my brain keeps running"
On Blackpink’s reunion after each member finished solo activities, Rosé said, “Each of us went out, got inspired, and learned a lot about ourselves. Now we’re coming back to each other with good energy.” She also shared how she cried when she saw the staff she’s worked with since debut after months apart.
Rosé revealed how hard it is to separate work and life. “I decided not to feel guilty about working,” she said. “If I work until I fall asleep, that’s a good thing. It means I love my work.”
She added, “Even when I’m not working, my brain keeps running.” Rosé said she always asks herself, “Did I do everything I wanted? Could I have done more?” About her solo album, she expressed satisfaction: “I did my best so much that I couldn’t have done more.”
Her solo album Rosie, released late last year, became the most successful album by a K-pop artist in the U.S. The song “APT.” gained huge global popularity, nearing 6 billion streams. The album topped Billboard charts and was praised for mixing K-pop and mainstream American pop smoothly.
Dazed magazine also quoted HYBE chairman Bang Si Hyuk, who said last year, “For K-pop to get more fans globally, it should be consumed more lightly as part of pop music, needing expansion in both form and content.” The magazine said Rosie perfectly fulfilled that promise.
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