Today, March 25th, ILLIT (YoonA, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, Iroha) celebrated their 1st anniversary since debut. From their first mini-album “Super Real Me”, they’ve achieved impressive records and success. Their debut song, "Magnetic" (title track of “Super Real Me” mini-album), made history as the first K-pop debut track to enter both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. Official Singles Top 100 in the shortest time. This set the record for the fastest K-pop debut song entry. Thanks to this success, ILLIT has won 13 awards, including 7 rookie awards, at major music award ceremonies around the world.

© Mnet M Countdown

ILLIT is the kind of group that blends energetic pop style with catchy melodies and vibrant beats. Their debut track set the tone for their music, showcasing a bold and confident sound. Their songs mix pop and electronic elements, creating an upbeat and fresh atmosphere. The catchy hook and energetic performance helped them stand out in the K-pop scene from the start.

ILLIT recently also proved their global popularity by winning their first award at a U.S. music award ceremony. On March 17th, at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles, they won the Best New Artist (K-pop) award. They were also nominated for two other categories—the K-Pop Song of the Year and K-Pop Dance Challenge with “Magnetic,” the lead single from their debut album, “Super Real Me.”

© iHeartRadio

The iHeartRadio Music Awards is a ceremony hosted by the American online radio service iHeartRadio since 2014. It honors artists and songs that have been most played on iHeartRadio stations and app. This is the first time ILLIT has won an award in the US and it happened in less than a year after their debut. This definitely shows their growing influence in the global music scene.

Thanks to these achievements, ILLIT has dominated major music award ceremonies worldwide. Including their 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards win, they’ve collected 13 trophies from award shows in Korea, the U.S., and Japan, including seven rookie awards. They’re also nominated for the 'MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMA)' and the '2024 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs),' proving their strong presence as one of the top girl groups of the new generation.

© Belift Lab

Recently, ILLIT released the theme song “Almond Chocolate” for the Japanese movie “I Don't Like You Just Because of Your Face”, based on a bestselling manga with over 2 million copies sold. The song was pre-released on Valentine’s Day, ahead of the movie’s official premiere on March 7. The song has become popular in both Korea and Japan, performing well on Japanese charts and boosting the movie’s box office performance. The special stage they performed in response to fan support also received a positive reaction.

Their recent song, "Almond Chocolate," also highlights their unique sound. This track combines sweet, playful lyrics with a smooth, laid-back beat. The song’s light and fun vibe contrasts with the intensity of "Magnetic," showing the group’s versatility. "Almond Chocolate" has become a fan favorite, especially in Japan, where it’s been performing well on local charts. The song’s catchy rhythm and relatable theme have made it a memorable addition to their growing discography.

© Belift Lab

Even though the group haven’t released a full Japanese album yet, ILLIT’s presence in Japan is skyrocketing. Their song Magnetic ranked #3 on Japan TikTok’s "Top Songs 2024" and #5 on YouTube Shorts' "Most Popular Songs", making them the only K-pop girl group on these charts. They achieved the highest-ranking position for an international artist on Billboard Japan’s Year-End "Hot 100" and NTV's "Year-End Music Awards 2024". They became the first K-pop girl group in 13 years to win the Best New Artist Award at Japan’s most prestigious "Japan Record Awards."

© Belift Lab

With their fun, youthful energy and confident charm, ILLIT is making their own path in the music world, and their future looks even brighter. They continue to grow and expand their influence on bigger stages.