 |
| ▲ This image of K-pop girl group ILLIT is provided by Belift Lab. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- "It was the year I took the most flights in my life, but more than anything, it was a happy year because we got to meet GLIT (ILLIT's fandom)," says Iroha of Rising K-pop girl group ILLIT.
Looking back at the whirlwind year, thanks to the success of their debut song "Magnetic," the group looked back on their journey.
On the anniversary of their debut, March 25, ILLIT expressed their thoughts through their agency, Belift Lab. "This year felt so intense," they shared. "We've experienced so much together, and it has made us stronger and closer as a group."
In just one year, ILLIT left a strong impression, winning seven rookie awards at various music award ceremonies. Their debut track Magnetic also made history as the first K-pop debut song to enter both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Chart Top 100.
"Our debut song was loved not just in Korea, but by fans all over the world," said Moka. "A great song resonates anywhere. It was surprising to see ILLIT’s songs on various charts all year long."
The group admitted that everything—from appearing on music shows to topping the charts—felt unfamiliar at first, but the love and support from fans made their journey unforgettable.
"When Magnetic hit No. 1 on the Melon chart, it was so sudden that we didn’t even have time to fully celebrate," recalled Yoonah. "As time passed, we realized just how incredible the love and support we received truly were."
When asked about their growing popularity, the members credited their relatable lyrics and easy-to-follow choreography. ILLIT members range in age from 16-year-old Iroha (born in 2008) to 20-year-old Yoonah (born in 2004), making them relatable to Gen Z listeners.
"The lyrics, which our peers can relate to, played a big role in the song’s popularity," said Minju. "Also, the finger-pointing choreography from Magnetic was easy to follow, making it widely used on short-form platforms."
Despite their impressive achievements, ILLIT remains focused on improving their performances and strengthening their stage presence. They also dream of engaging with fans in large concert venues.
"ILLIT’s choreography is full of intricate details, so we pay a lot of attention to each move," said Wonhee. "We discuss a lot about our performance to make sure all five members are perfectly in sync."
"Our dream is to hold a solo concert in a dome stadium, where the entire venue is filled with GLITs and ILLIT light sticks!" added Iroha.
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
