'Bold Visual Comeback' ILLIT: "We Want to Be Everyone's Favorite" [Q&A]

*This content was translated by AI.

"'It's Me' is a song like 'hot pot' that you can't stop eating once you start."

Girl group ILLIT will release their 4th mini-album 'MAMIHLAPINATAPAI' at 6 p.m. on the 30th. The album captures their intense energy, pouring out their most transparent and honest inner selves in moments where subtle emotions intersect. The title track 'It's Me', a techno genre with addictive qualities, has been previewed. The members challenge themselves to become 'everyone's favorite' with bold and daring charms never seen before.

Global music fans have already heated up. ILLIT's new album ranked 6th on Spotify's 'Countdown Chart Global' (as of April 29). This chart is an indicator of the 'Top 10' number of 'Pre-save' registrations where Spotify users worldwide sign up for notifications to quickly learn about album and single releases, demonstrating the overwhelming interest listeners have for ILLIT. Expanding their musical spectrum and embarking on another transformation, ILLIT shared their Q&A through their agency, Billie Lab.

Q. Impressions of coming back with 'MAMIHLAPINATAPAI'

▶Minju=Thinking about showing GLLIT (the fandom name) a different side makes my heart race already. We have worked hard to deliver a fresh stage you've never seen before. Please look forward to ILLIT's unpredictable charm.

Q. The meaning behind the unique album title

▶Wonhee=The album title 'MAMIHLAPINATAPAI' is from the language of the South American 'Yaghan' tribe. It refers to a moment of silent competition where both parties want something but neither takes the first step. In the 4th mini-album, it is used as a word to express the excitement and nervousness felt after a first date, and the subtle emotions in between.

Q. First impressions of the title track 'It's Me'

▶Yuna=From the intro, it was so exciting that we all headbanged together and felt the rhythm. The more I listened, the more addictive it became. I thought it was a song that everyone could easily sing along to.

▶Moka='It's Me' was a techno genre we had never expected, so it felt fresh. At the moment when the contemplation of defining the relationship with a crush deepens, the direct lyrics shouting "Your favorite is right here!" felt refreshingly satisfying.

▶Wonhee=It has a different vibe from the songs ILLIT has presented so far, and it was incredibly intense, which surprised me. I felt excited as if our spectrum had expanded by another inch.

Q. Key points to enjoy in the title track 'It's Me'

▶Yuna=It features an addictive hook and witty, lively lyrics. Unique lyrics are one of the characteristics of ILLIT's music. We hope you will pay close attention to this one as well.

▶Moka=I thought of it as a song like 'hot pot' that is stimulating yet impossible to stop eating once you start. I highly recommend watching the vocals and performance that bring out the zesty atmosphere.

▶Iroha=It's a song that makes your body move on its own as soon as you hear it. Please enjoy it together with excitement.

Q. The most notable part to watch in the performance

▶Minju=The killing part is a performance combining our signature choreography hand gesture, 'Magical Girl', with rhythmic steps. If you watch our performance along with our playful facial expressions on stage, your dopamine will explode.

▶Iroha=The performance is of the highest difficulty in our history. We have packed our energy in high concentration. We have to perform the choreography powerfully from start to finish, and there are many movements that involve jumping according to the beat. We practiced a lot because we had to match the angles precisely in every movement.

Q. Impressions on the bold visual transformation

▶Yuna=Those who have seen the concept photos will be surprised, thinking, "ILLIT can do this too." We tried various styles, and each one suited us well. I felt that all the members have improved their ability to embody the concepts.

▶Moka=I challenged myself with a short cut. Since I usually like bold styles, it was so much fun. I looked better than I expected. (Laughs)

▶Wonhee=Personally, I thought Yuna unnie looked really good with a bob cut. There are many new styles not only in the concept photos but also in the music video, so I think the fans will like them.

Q. Introduction of recorded tracks where the members' high participation stands out

▶Iroha=In 'paw, paw!', I participated in lyric writing for the first time. It is a song filled with affection for a beloved pet. I wrote the lyrics thinking of Goyang, a cat that my family has raised for a long time before I was born. Since Goyang's cute paw prints are unforgettable, I included that content.

▶Minju=All members are credited on 'Love, older you'. It is a gentle letter from the now stronger ILLIT to the younger me who had moments of hardship and wanting to give up. Actually, while listening to the demo tracks, we wrote letters to our past selves, and that content was woven into the lyrics overall.

Q. The most important point while preparing for the 4th mini-album

▶Yuna=Everything from dancing to vocals to concept was challenging, so I worried a lot about how to express it well. To leave a deep impression on those who watch our stage, all the members tried to synchronize perfectly.

▶Minju=We paid attention to vocals. We sang by changing the attitude for each section to maximize the diversity of the songs. Please watch us change from bold to cool, and then to charming.

Q. Words we want to hear or goals we want to achieve through this promotion

▶Wonhee=We want to win first place on music shows. It would make us really happy because it would be proof that many people love our music. If we win first place, I want to have an encore performance while eating flounder dishes.

▶Moka=I want to be told that we are a team that absorbs and suits any color well.

▶Iroha=The title track 'It's Me' is a song that shouts, "Your favorite is right here!" Through this promotion, we want to become everyone's 'favorite'.

Q. Messages to GLLIT who waited for the comeback

▶Yuna=Through our previous work 'NOT CUTE ANYMORE', which announced the start of change, we felt that many people gave us great love. This time, we think we can show another side with 'It's Me'. We hope you look forward to it a lot and enjoy a stage that makes your dopamine explode.

▶Minju=Thank you for waiting for us as always. We will repay you with a cool stage for GLLIT, who always supports us and sends us full of love. We will work hard on this promotion too, so please join us.

▶Moka=We are really happy to finally be able to present the 4th mini-album. Please also love the new-colored ILLIT.

▶Wonhee=We are already looking forward to what fun memories we can create with GLLIT through this promotion. I hope it becomes a time where I give you great energy and joy. We will work hard to repay your support and expectations.

▶Iroha=We prepared with all our might with the intention of surprising GLLIT, so we hope you enjoy it fun.

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*This content was translated by AI.