Debuting in early 2024, ILLIT, the quintet from South Korea, rose to immediate success with their debut single ‘Magnetic.’ Sporting a catchy tune and bubbly vocals, the track became an instant viral hit, showcasing the group’s unique sound and solidifying their position in a highly competitive industry. “Our music continues to convey our spirited feelings in a playful but sincere way,” says main vocalist Minju, as she reflects on how far the group has come.
A little over a year since their debut, the girl group has just released their third mini album, Bomb, continuing to build upon a narrative of self-discovery. Venturing into the realm of a blossoming relationship, they tap into new feelings and experiences, all while staying true to their core selves. With playful lyrics, snappy melodies and ILLIT’s signature youthful energy, the diverse tracks of their new EP explore the ups and downs of young love.
Here, the five members—Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha—share with Vogue Singapore the concept and inspiration behind new mini album Bomb, their love for performing live and how they have grown over the past year since their debut.
Tell us about what inspired your new EP Bomb. What is the concept behind this project?
Yunah: Our third mini album draws inspiration from the idea of ‘magical girls.’ It tells the story of girls stepping out into the world and navigating newfound relationships while holding on to their inner magic, always believing in their own possibilities.
Wonhee: This album shows us facing our feelings head-on. We also tap into new emotions such as the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding a blossoming relationship.
Tell us a bit more about your lead single ‘Billyeoon Goyangi (Do the Dance)’. What inspired this track?
Yunah: The title comes from a proverb depicting the feeling of being lost or out of place—like a borrowed cat who doesn’t quite belong. It perfectly captures the dazed, awkward state after making a mistake in front of someone you like. Personally, my favourite parts are the intro and the interlude, with a grand, parade-like vibe reminiscent of an amusement park.
Moka: The performance of the track has a really sweet vibe. Notably, it features a set of intricate hand movements—dubbed the ‘cat’s stretch dance’ and ‘meow dance’—that have sort of become our signature moves.
Could you share some interesting behind-the-scenes moments of recording this project?
Wonhee: I have a verse that includes some French lyrics, which I took the time to learn while recording. They were a bit tricky to pronounce at first, but I managed to pull them off after some practice and I think it adds a special surprise to the song.
Minju: Although it’s not my part, I really loved the playful lyrics like “wiggle meow, dance dance meow.” Those lines add a cute, lighthearted energy to the song. They have been stuck in my head ever since the recording, making the track super addictive. I think it will have a similar effect on those who listen to it.
Which song(s) are you most excited for fans to hear and why?
Iroha: I’m most excited for fans to listen to ‘little monster.’ I hope they watch the music video alongside the track and pay close attention to the lyrics.
Moka: The lyrics of ‘little monster’ are super unique, and the song itself is very chic. It talks about facing and overcoming inner monsters—symbolising stressors like anxiety, depression, and sadness—and I believe many listeners will be able to relate to it.
As you are set to release your third EP, how have you evolved—as a group and as individuals—compared to when you first debuted?
Yunah: I believe our improvisations and performances on stage have become much more natural and confident compared to when we first debuted. In the beginning, we were more focused on getting everything exactly right, but now we’ve grown more comfortable in expressing ourselves and better connecting with the audience.
Iroha: As a group, our synergy has improved and our teamwork has gotten stronger. We also have more conversations now on how to translate this synergy into our music and performances. Personally, I think I’ve gotten better at delivering emotions through my vocals and movements compared to when we first debuted.
What does performing in front of your fans mean to you? Do you have plans to travel overseas to perform—where would that be?
Wonhee: We recently held our first fan concert in Seoul, and it was one of the most surreal moments since our debut—hearing the crowd sing along to our songs brought us so much joy. I hope to meet GLLITs in many more cities and countries around the world.
Minju: We feel very proud and happy to be able to bring joy to our fans. We have another concert planned in Japan later this year, and I’m thrilled to meet our fans in person and bring our performances to them up close.
What other sounds or concepts are you looking to explore in the future?
Moka: I’d love to explore the genre of hip-hop in the future. I believe experimenting with various genres helps broaden our musical range and skills, and it would be exciting to show a different, bolder side of us.
Yunah: I want to challenge myself with band-style songs and concepts. I love the raw, energetic sound that instrumentation brings to band music. I think exploring in that direction would bring a fresh and dynamic vibe to our music.
Listen to Bomb here.
