In a candid interview with The New York Times, K-pop superstar Rosé broke down in tears while discussing the dark side of fame, revealing her battles with online harassment and the isolating journey to stardom.

“It really, really hurt,” the BLACKPINK member admitted, her voice cracking as she addressed the cyberbullying she’s faced as a female artist in the spotlight. Despite her typically composed demeanor, the 27-year-old singer showed rare vulnerability when confronting these painful experiences.

The emotional interview comes as Rosé prepares to release “R0SIE,” her first full-length solo album, dropping March 6. The album follows her recent global hit “APT.,” which has cemented her position as a solo force in the music industry.

“I never thought it would actually be possible,” she said about creating her own album. “When I first started this whole process last year, I doubted myself a lot.”

Born to Korean immigrant parents in New Zealand and raised in Australia, Rosé’s path to K-pop stardom began at age 15 when she took a leap of faith and auditioned for YG Entertainment in 2012. After passing the audition, she left behind her life in Australia to pursue her dreams in South Korea – a decision that would test her resilience.

“I didn’t understand the loneliness I had to go through. It was traumatizing,” she revealed about her trainee days. Yet she refused to give up: “I had traveled so far to become an idol. I didn’t want to go back to Australia and explain the whole failed process.”

The BLACKPINK star offered a rare glimpse into the rigid world of K-pop training, where perfection is the only acceptable standard. “We were trained to present ourselves perfectly, including our online interactions with fans,” she explained. “We weren’t trained to talk about our emotions, feelings, and experiences.”

Finding salvation through songwriting, Rosé discovered a powerful outlet for her struggles. “Songwriting came to me like a blessing when I really needed it,” she shared. “I would go in with a really big problem, put it in a song, and it would leave my heart.” With a laugh, she added, “Some days, if I don’t like the song, I’ll say ‘That didn’t help!’ Those songs won’t make it to the album.”

Her upcoming album “R0SIE” represents more than just a collection of songs – it’s a personal statement years in the making. “I wanted to create music that I grew up with and could relate to,” she explained, highlighting her evolution from K-pop idol to authentic artist.

The interview paints a striking portrait of resilience in an industry known for its grueling demands. Despite the challenges,...