Alongside Spotify and YouTube Music, Apple Music is one of the three largest music streaming platforms in the world, with hundreds of millions of users each year. Therefore, listening data on Apple Music provides a clear reflection of current music trends, the level of public reception, and an artist’s position in the global music market.
In particular, the editorial playlist KPOPWRLD—which compiles the most outstanding K-pop songs during a given period, as evaluated by Apple Music’s own team—is considered a reliable reference. It is not created by users or algorithms but is curated by experts based on actual popularity (collected from user data and platform behavior) and musical quality.
At the end of 2025, Apple Music announced the list KPOPWRLD: Best of 2025 – Apple Music K-Pop on November 18. The list compiles the 50 most notable songs of the year from top K-pop groups and solo artists. Being featured in this playlist means that a song has received global recognition and made a significant impact on the market. At the same time, this achievement firmly affirms the artist’s standing in the global music industry.
This year, BTS continued to receive good news as two solo tracks from Jin and j-hope were named on this prestigious list. Specifically, Apple Music honored j-hope’s “Killin’ It Girl” and Jin’s “Don’t Say You Love Me” among the best songs of 2025.
In addition, the song “Spaghetti”—the latest collaboration between j-hope and LE SSERAFIM—also appeared on the list, marking another impressive achievement for the BTS rapper in 2025.
Notably, these solo and collaborative tracks were released after nearly two years of the idols’ temporary absence due to military service. In a world where turnover is constant, as in K-pop, recognition from Apple Music serves as clear proof of Jin and j-hope’s enduring appeal and musical quality.
Moreover, the strong chart performance of “Killin’ It Girl” and “Don’t Say You Love Me” on other global music charts further validates Apple Music’s αѕѕessment.
“Killin’ It Girl” made an immediate impact upon release, debuting at #40 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart, and #3 on the Global 200 chart. It also quickly topped iTunes charts in more than 80 countries and appeared on several prominent Spotify and Apple Music playlists.
Meanwhile, Jin’s “Don’t Say You Love Me” also dominated global music charts from the moment it was released, reaching #1 on iTunes Top Songs in at least 61 countries. Hitting #1 on Spotify Global made Jin the first Asian artist in 2025 to achieve a global Spotify #1. The song also peaked at #6 on the Billboard Global 200 and #4 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart. As of the end of October 2025, this solo track has surpαѕѕed 600 million streams on Spotify.
The inclusion of these two BTS members in KPOPWRLD: Best of 2025 is not only a source of pride for fans but also reflects the significant influence of each BTS member in the fiercely competitive market. It is also considered a strong foundation for BTS’s return as a complete group in 2026. Fans are currently celebrating enthusiastically on social media:
- yk Killin’ It Girl is gonna be a нιт whenn it starts, deserved the song of the year. Congrats
- great songs, literally everything coming from BTS is peak quality
- As it should be the song is incredibly fire esp the live stage is superb
- Congrats to Jin and j-hope!! The Songs are HITs!! You've done so well
- Wow, Jin and j-hope are unstoppable! Global recognition well deserved
- So proud of our boys! Killin’ It Girl and Don’t Say You Love Me slaying the charts
- Jin and j-hope proving once again why they’re K-pop legends
- These achievements show how talented and hardworking they are. Congrats our boys
- From Spotify to Apple Music, they’re dominating everywhere!
- Forever proud of Jin and j-hope! Global нιтs all the way
