SHAH ALAM – Rosé, the New Zealand-born member of the global K-pop sensation Blackpink has admitted that while she is searching for love, the public’s reaction to her honesty leaves her feeling deeply sad and conflicted.
The singer, whose real name is Roseanne Park, revealed that the prospect of romance—an ordinary part of life—often transforms into overwhelming public judgement.
Her emotional reflections were shared during a recent appearance on Call Her Daddy, the popular podcast hosted by Alex Cooper.
Known for its candid discussions on identity and vulnerability, the platform provided a rare space for the star to speak openly about topics often considered off-limits in the highly controlled K-pop industry.
On the latest episode, released on Wednesday, Rosé appeared visibly tensed when Cooper asked directly if she was dating anyone.
Fighting back tears, she explained why questions regarding her love life make her uncomfortable, particularly as none of her past relationships has ever been made public.
“Oh my God. Wait. Because I just feel like if I say no, it’s such a lie. You can tell. I am looking for love.
“When you ask something like that, it’s like all the articles, all the comments, I just see them roll down. Anyone who has been plotting my downfall is like, ‘This is the comment we take... if anything happens, this is the interview we go back to’”, he said.
Rosé highlighted that her primary fear is being defined by a single answer.
“I would love to just be able to say yes or no. Is this going to define who I am? How sad a reality is that? That really makes me sad,” she added.
The singer emphasised that her distress stems from how the industry treats artists, particularly women. She argued that being part of a K-pop group should not strip her of her humanity.
“I’m only sad because I feel like it’s just a normal thing. Just because I was from a K-pop group doesn't mean I am a different type of human being.
“I think we’re all born with legs and arms and feelings... everyone’s human,” she said.
Beyond her personal life, Rosé discussed the intense scrutiny regarding her appearance, revealing that online critics previously harassed her styling team.
However, she stated a shift in public perception following the release of her song, Number One Girl.
“After I explained the song, my team hasn't been getting comments like that anymore. I love that I’ve been able to find music as a kind of tunnel..a way to express these feelings and for people to accept them,” she said.
This vulnerable interview comes at a pivotal moment in her career. Blackpink is set to release their upcoming mini-album, Deadline, on Feb 27.
Rosé is also preparing for the 2026 Grammy Awards, where she has made history as the first K-pop soloist nominated in major categories, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her Bruno Mars collaboration, APT.