"'ILLIT can do this too!' I want to surprise everyone enough that they can say that."
The group ILLIT celebrated its second debut anniversary on the 25th. ILLIT, which debuted on March 25, 2024, quickly captured the hearts of global fans by building the distinctive sensibility and aesthetic called "ILLIT core." They maintained a consistent identity across music, performance and visuals while continuing to expand their spectrum with new attempts in every album.
ILLIT's relentless challenges have led to brilliant results. From their debut to last year's released mini album 3, "bomb," they achieved the feat of placing three consecutive albums on the U.S. Billboard main album chart "Billboard 200." The title track of their single album 1, "NOT CUTE ANYMORE," reached No. 7 on the "Bubbling Under Hot 100," increasing the likelihood of a global hit following the momentum of their debut song "Magnetic."
The scale of their solo performances has also grown. After selling out all eight shows of the fan concert "2025 ILLIT GLITTER DAY" held in Korea and Japan last year, ILLIT will perform their first tour, "ILLIT LIVE 'PRESS START'" (hereafter "PRESS START"), 14 times across seven domestic and international cities.
Having expanded their global influence, ILLIT is set to release mini album 4, "MAMIHLAPINATAPAI," on April 30. Expectations are rising about what original music and concepts they will use this time to lead trends among the 10- to 20-year-old demographic.
The following are the questions and answers ILLIT shared through their agency, Belift Lab Inc.
Q. feelings on marking your second debut anniversary
Yoon-a: It's moving to realize it's already our second debut anniversary. Memories of the moment the five of us debuted together and when we celebrated our first anniversary come flooding back. I look forward to many more experiences we will share as ILLIT.
Min-ju: Looking back slowly, we've accomplished so much so far. I am very grateful to everyone who made this moment possible. Above all, I want to say I'm most thankful for and love GLLIT (Glit, the fandom name) for being by our side during that time.
Mo-ka: When we debuted, the second anniversary felt so far away. We ran so hard without thinking and now it's our second anniversary. I'll work hard so we can show even more diverse and cool activities in the future.
Won-hee: It's really amazing that ILLIT is already celebrating its second birthday. The happy memories we've built with Glit over the past two years are a huge source of strength. I'm excited and thrilled to think about what fun things await us with Glit.
I-roha: We've had so many precious moments. I was especially happy to meet more Glit last year, and I think there will be even more opportunities like that ahead. I'll work hard, so please watch over us.
Q. how does it feel to have successfully completed the Seoul show of your first tour 'PRESS START'?
Yoon-a: Since it was our first solo tour, there were parts that felt lacking and disappointing, but it was rewarding to finish the show we prepared so hard for while thinking about Glit.
Min-ju: It still feels like a dream that we went on tour. It was so much fun performing that it left a stronger impression. We'll continue to grow and show more diverse sides, so please look forward to the rest of the "PRESS START" tour.
Mo-ka: I was more nervous than I expected, but the more I performed, the more I could enjoy it, which felt special. And it was even better to see Glit up close.
Won-hee: I was also very nervous because it was the performance that announced the start of ILLIT's first tour. There were disappointing parts, but every moment was happy. Thinking about seeing Glit in more regions makes me overwhelmed.
I-roha: I was moved seeing the venue filled with Glit. I sincerely thank the staff and members who worked hard so the Seoul show could end safely.
Q. it's impressive that you expand the team's spectrum with different attempts every time you release a new song. is there a challenge or change you pride yourselves on handling most 'ILLIT-like'?
Yoon-a: Each album was a new and meaningful challenge. In particular, in single album 1 "NOT CUTE ANYMORE," breaking the cute image that ILLIT used to have was interesting.
Min-ju: I think every ILLIT song has a different feel, from genre to facial expressions on stage and costumes. Still, I think the advantage is that ILLIT's unique color is contained in all of them.
Mo-ka: I always try to show a fresh side, but personally I worked harder because I wanted to perform "NOT CUTE ANYMORE" well. Also, please look forward to the title track "It's Me" from mini album 4, "MAMIHLAPINATAPAI," which we are preparing diligently.
Won-hee: It's always been ILLIT-like, and I think all of this was possible because of our members and the staff. Going forward, ILLIT will continue to walk its own path.
I-roha: We always try to show new sides, and personally I'm especially looking forward to this mini album 4. I focused a lot on facial expressions and performance. I want to surprise everyone enough that Glit and the public can say, "ILLIT can do this too!"
Q. you achieved the solo performance you set as a goal for your first anniversary and received great love from global fans. when did you feel you had grown the most during activities?
Yoon-a: Looking back from last year's fan concert "GLITTER DAY" to "PRESS START," we grew a lot within a year. I definitely felt it when I saw our ability to handle unexpected situations on stage. I'm learning a lot in many areas while performing.
Min-ju: A solo performance was not only a one-year anniversary goal but also a big goal I had wanted since I dreamed of being an idol. So for me, "PRESS START" was meaningful and an opportunity to feel growth.
Mo-ka: I think my mentality has become stronger. There were many times I felt anxious or nervous on stage, but now I think I can control myself.
Won-hee: Preparing for this first tour made me feel we had grown a lot. I was proud that we became artists who can hold solo performances.
I-roha: When we debuted, I worried a lot about making mistakes on stage, but now I enjoy it. I also started trying various things like "Should I try this on stage this time?"
Q. any new goals or dreams you want to achieve this year?
Yoon-a: This year our goal is to have many Glit enjoy ILLIT's songs. Beyond that, we want to create opportunities for more people to come to like ILLIT.
Min-ju: Many Glit from various countries supported us last year, so we want to visit as many as possible. And we want to broaden our musical spectrum by challenging more genres.
Mo-ka: My goal is to keep showing ILLIT's new charms so Glit won't get bored. I'll work to show a better version than before.
Won-hee: As we started our first tour this year, my goal is to deliver great stages to Glit around the world.
I-roha: First, through "MAMIHLAPINATAPAI," which we will present on April 30, I want to properly show many people ILLIT's diverse charms. "PRESS START" continues until August, and our goal this year is to finish it successfully and learn and grow a lot in the process.
Q. what would you like to say to the members who ran together with one heart for the past two years?
Yoon-a: Thank you for trusting and relying on each other and being 'eu?Xeu?X' even during hard times.
Min-ju: Let's continue to enjoy being the five of us together. I hope we remain people who rely on and help each other like we do now. I'm always grateful.
Mo-ka: We ran nonstop until the second anniversary. Let's keep running nonstop and be together for five, 10 years.
Won-hee: To my members who are the closest source of strength and are growing together, I'm always thankful and I'm your biggest supporter. Fighting for this year too!
I-roha: No matter what happens, I want to say I'm so grateful to the members who always tried and ran together. Let's stay healthy and happy from now on.
Q. message you want to say to Glit as you build more memories together
Yoon-a: To those who are Glit now and those who will become Glit! We will do our best to keep showing good songs and stages, so please love us a lot. Thank you always.
Min-ju: We still have many days to meet. We'll make Glit happier and fill our time together with fun memories.
Mo-ka: The reason I could achieve my goals every year is all because of Glit. I promise to continue showing a side of us that Glit can be proud of.
Won-hee: Thank you for letting Won-hee of ILLIT shine. The strength we get from Glit is enormous, and I hope I can be a source of strength for Glit too. I'll work to become that, so please watch over us.
I-roha: Thank you so much for celebrating our second debut anniversary. I'll keep making Glit happy and giving good energy. Love you!
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