"An expanded ILLIT is here."

From the start, it felt like a magnetic connection. With quirky charm, lovely melodies, and whimsical visuals, ILLIT captivated the K-pop scene. Now, they’re set to enchant once again, this time with a bold message of love aimed directly at their fans, GLLIT. Their new release adds a dreamy touch to their signature sound while conveying a more confident message.

During the media showcase held on October 21 at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, ILLIT members shared their excitement. Moka stated, "We prepared for this stage with the same passion as when we debuted. We’ll always approach it with a beginner's mindset and give it our all."

"I'LL LIKE YOU"

This comeback comes after seven months. Yunah expressed, "Since it's our first comeback, I feel as nervous and excited as I did during our debut showcase." Wonhee added, "It feels even more thrilling and nerve-wracking than our debut."

Moka said, "We wanted to showcase ILLIT’s unique charm to even more people. We aim to display our growth." Minju declared, "We'll show a new side of us beyond 'Magnetic.'"

'I'LL LIKE YOU' continues the narrative from their first mini album, 'Super Real Me,' expanding the storyline. While their previous album was about exploring their authentic selves, the new album delves into their relationship with others.

This album captures the boldness of a girl who throws herself into love. It tells the story of a girl who meets someone she wants to get close to and ultimately trusts her own feelings to pursue that person.

The "you" in this story represents GLLIT. Minju explained, "We thought of GLLIT while working on this album, expressing curiosity and the direct pursuit of love." She added, "This release captures another distinct charm of ILLIT."

She also highlighted the differences from their previous work: "We emphasized honesty and explored new musical styles. There's so much more we want to show in the future."

Gen Z Girls’ Bold Confessions

The new album contains five tracks: 'Cherish,' 'I'LL LIKE YOU,' 'IYKYK,' 'Pimple,' and 'Tic-Tac.' The songs feature trendy and playful melodies.

Iroha shared, "Each track has its own distinct vibe." The title track, 'Cherish,' is a dance medium-pop song with an addictive hook: "Ch ch ch ch cherish my love." Its beat is captivating, and the members’ pure vocals linger pleasantly in listeners' ears.

The lyrics reflect the candid emotions of teens, finding joy in liking someone and valuing their own feelings more than the approval of others.

Initially, the members found 'Cherish' unfamiliar. Yunah recalled, "When I first heard it, it felt unfamiliar since it was unlike anything we’d done before. But the more we practiced, the more it felt like our song."

This unfamiliarity drove them to work even harder. "It’s a song that helped us grow," Yunah reflected. "We went through extensive recording sessions."

An Upgraded ILLIT Stage

ILLIT displayed a newfound confidence with their upgraded stage skills. They delivered a powerful performance with flawless live vocals. Minju’s voice resonated throughout the venue, cutting through the backing track.

Their choreography was both dynamic and charming. The members spun in unison during the chorus, moving their hands and heads playfully, reminiscent of a magical girl transformation scene.

They highlighted the 'Magnetic Heart' dance as a key challenge. This choreography is an adaptation of the hand movements from their previous hit 'Magnetic,' now reshaped into heart gestures. Minju explained, "From start to finish, we create various heart shapes with our hands."

The music video exudes a high-teen vibe, telling the story of five girls who share their 'wisdom teeth' moments. The scenes alternate between reality and fantasy, showing the members expressing love in their own unique ways.

"It’s based on the concept of a 'Wisdom Teeth Club,'" Yunah explained. "It’s an idea inspired by my peers who are at the age where wisdom teeth begin to grow."

Their performance of 'IYKYK' radiated energy. In contrast to the neutral tones of the title track’s outfits, they donned colorful school uniforms, delivering playful expressions throughout the performance.

"ILLIT Walks Its Own Path"

ILLIT has already set records with their debut. Their debut track 'Magnetic' dominated both domestic and international charts, becoming the first K-pop debut song to enter the Billboard 'Hot 100.'

Despite the success of their previous release, the pressure to meet expectations was inevitable. "There was pressure," Wonhee admitted, "but this time, our goal is to bring joy through our music, rather than focusing on popularity."

The group also reflected on the strength they gained from their fans. "The overwhelming love we received for 'Magnetic' gave us unforgettable memories and the energy to push forward," Minju shared.

As newcomers, the group faced challenges, including being caught up in disputes between affiliate companies. However, the members viewed this as a time to strengthen their bond with fans.

"Throughout everything, the unwavering support from our fans was a constant reminder of why we do what we do," Yunah said. "We focused on showcasing our unique color and committed ourselves to walking our own path."

Looking ahead, the group plans to continue their journey with confidence. "We want to convey that we’re following our path without hesitation," Yunah affirmed. "We aim to be a group that constantly moves forward."

As for their future goals, Yunah shared, "We aspire to be recognized as an icon representing the 5th generation and Gen Z." Wonhee added, "If I could dream big, I’d love for us to achieve a music show win and make it onto the Billboard charts."