ILLIT
Biography
ILLIT (Hangul: 아일릿; Katakana: アイリット ; also stylized as :ll:+) is a South Korean girl group formed by BELIFT LAB, a subsidiary of HYBE, through the JTBC survival competition show R U Next?. The group currently consists of members: Yunah (윤아), Minju (민주), Moka (모카), Wonhee (원희) and Iroha (이로하). Their name was initially introduced as I'll-It during the live broadcast of the final episode of R U Next?. In the episode, it was explained that the name "represents choosing your own verb to put between I'll and It", conveying the ability of the members to act and make decisions independently.
The JTBC series R U Next? aired for ten episodes from June 30, through September 1, 2023, in which 22 contestants competed to debut in a six-member girl group under BELIFT LAB, their first girl group, and the third girl group to debut under HYBE, after LE SSERAFIM and NewJeans. The final episode saw the formation of the group's six-member lineup, with two members being selected by the public, and four being selected by the company's producers. The final lineup of Wonhee, Youngseo, Minju, Iroha, Moka, and Yunah, was unveiled at the end of the broadcast. On January 5, 2024, BELIFT LAB announced Youngseo was leaving the group. Previously, Youngseo and BELIFT LAB had discussed the future activities of her and her group and had decided with mutual agreement to terminate her contract.
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The group debuted with five members - Yunah (윤아), Minju (민주), Moka (모카), Wonhee (원희) and Iroha (이로하). - on March 25, 2024, following the release of their first EP titled SUPER REAL ME. The EP features their debut track, Magnetic, which quickly gained attention on global charts, becoming the first debut single by a K-pop act to appear on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number 91. This success also marked ILLIT as the first K-pop group to enter the UK Official Singles Chart with a debut song, peaking at number 80.
Super Real Me, which includes four tracks, saw notable involvement from HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk, who participated in the production. Following its release, the EP entered the Billboard 200 at number 93, and ILLIT reached number 41 on the Billboard Artist 100 chart, establishing them as a rising force in the global music scene.
Before their official debut, ILLIT made an appearance at Paris Fashion Week for Acne Studios in February 2024, becoming the first K-pop act to attend the event prior to debut. In the months after their debut, the group’s music video for "Lucky Girl Syndrome" and additional media exposure contributed to ILLIT being named Billboard's first-ever "K-Pop Rookie of the Month" in June 2024.
On October 21st, 2024, ILLIT would release their 1st comeback, "I'LL LIKE YOU" and the title track "Cherish (My Love)". Then on November 14th, 2024, they released the MV for the promoted b-side, "Tick-Tack". This progression indicates the group’s ongoing success and impact as they grow both within South Korea and internationally.
ILLIT would go on to release their first Japanese single, "Almond Chocolate" on February 14th 2025, for the soundtrack for the live action movie of the manga "It Takes More Than a Pretty Face to Fall in Love". Then they would release the Korean Ver. at March 10th 2025, to promote to Korean Music Shows.
On June 16th 2025, they released their 3rd comeback "bomb", "Billyeoon Goyangi (Do The Dance)" serving as its title track, while jellyous serves as the album's b-side, promoted with an MV. On June 5th, 2025, they released the full song and MV, "little monster" serving as a brand film.
On July 14, 2025, Belift Lab announced that Illit would be releasing their first Japanese maxi single "Toki Yo Tomare" (時よ止まれ; lit. 'Stop time') on September 1. The single consists of four songs: two new songs, "Toki Yo Tomare" and "Topping", alongside a Japanese version of "Do the Dance", and "Almond Chocolate" which was previously released in February. "Topping" was pre-released on August 11. On November 4, 2025, Illit released "Secret Quest", serving as the ending theme song for the animated series Pokémon Horizons – Rising Hope. Their first single album, Not Cute Anymore, was released on November 24, 2025.
On January 13, 2026, they released their second Japanese single "Sunday Morning", which also serves as the opening theme for the second season of the anime series 'Tis Time for "Torture," Princess. On March 15, 2026, during a concert in Seoul for their Press Start tour, Illit revealed that they would be releasing their fourth EP Mamihlapinatapai on April 30, 2026, with the lead single "It's Me". On June 8, 2026, it was announced that Illit would release the single "Iconic by Mistake" in collaboration with Hybe label mates Le Sserafim and Katseye on June 12, 2026, marking the first time these three Hybe girl groups have released music together.
On June 14, 2026, during a concert in Aichi for their Press Start tour, Illit revealed that they would be releasing their second Japanese single, "I Got Your Back", on July 26, 2026 featuring Jisoo and Momoka of Hana. The Korean version of "I Got Your Back" was released on August 17, 2026.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.