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The Korea Times

By Lee Gyu-lee
Amid controversies and legal disputes with NewJeans, rookie girl group Illit have defied the odds, claiming the title of this year’s breakout K-pop sensation. Their debut track, “Magnetic”, soared on international charts, marking a meteoric rise for a group newly introduced to the competitive K-pop scene.
Illit have been making waves in the music scene since debuting with the mini-album Super Real Me and its title track, “Magnetic”, in March. The group quickly gained attention as label Hybe’s third girl group, following Le Sserafim and NewJeans.
The easy-to-listen and catchy song with simple but energetic choreography caught the interest of global listeners.

The song became the first K-pop debut track to enter the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK’s Official Singles Top 100 in April.
Additionally, it became the most streamed K-pop song overseas on Spotify in the first half of 2024 and was named the Summer Song of 2024 in Korea and Japan on TikTok.
Last week “Magnetic” ranked No 25 on Apple Music’s Top Songs of 2024: Global chart, claiming the highest spot among K-pop songs. The artists who ranked higher than Illit on the platform’s year-end chart include pop stars like Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, Post Malone and Billie Eilish.
The song also topped the platform’s 2024 Top 100 charts in Korea and Taiwan and ranked 12th in Japan, 15th in Hong Kong/Macau, and 53rd in China. These achievements represent the highest rankings ever attained by a K-pop debut song in their respective regions.
“Prominent global music magazines are also keeping a close watch on Illit,” the group’s label, Belift Lab, said.

British music news outlet NME included “Magnetic” in its 50 Best Songs of 2024 list earlier this month, ranking it 27th. The publication described the track as featuring “stuttering beats and fizzy synths shimmering beneath a bouncy, instantly addictive pop hook”.
With their hit song and the backing of K-pop powerhouse Hybe, including appearances at high-profile fashion events, the quintet quickly gained global attention, earning nominations for international music awards in their debut year.
Illit became the only K-pop group nominated for Best Asian Act at this year’s MTV European Music Awards, held in November, although the award ultimately went to Filipino girl group Bini.
The group has also been nominated for the Top Global K-pop Song category at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards, scheduled for December 13.
The five-member group recently swept the rookie awards at the 2024 Melon Music Awards, the 2024 Mnet Asian Music Awards and the 66th Japan Record Awards, with the ceremony scheduled for December 30.

The quintet’s success hit a bump when the former CEO of Hybe’s other label, Ador, Min Hee-jin, who produced NewJeans, claimed that Belift Lab copied the girl group’s concept and style to produce Illit.
Earlier this year, allegations of choreography plagiarism surfaced when Ador’s performance director, Kim Eun-ju, posted on Instagram accusing Illit of copying NewJeans’ choreography from a McDonald’s commercial for the dance for the song “Lucky Girl Syndrome”.
Min later claimed that Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk produced Illit’s debut album, accusing the group of copying NewJeans “in every aspect of entertainment activities, including hair, make-up, costumes, choreography, photography, videos, and appearances”, since the dispute involving her and Hybe began.
Belift Lab filed defamation charges against the former chief executive following the plagiarism allegations against Illit.

Last month, Min also filed defamation charges against the executives of Belift Lab and submitted a 5 billion won (US$3.48 million) civil suit against the agency.
During a media showcase for their second mini-album, I’ll Like You, in October, the group spoke out on the allegation, saying they are focused on presenting their own musical colour despite the ongoing controversy.
“Rather than dwelling on the controversy, we concentrated on showing our true colours and improving ourselves for those who believe in us,” the quintet said.
Read the original story at The Korea Times.


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Illit has been making waves in the music scene since debuting in March. Photo: Instagram/royentertainmentshine

A concept photo for Illit’s debut album Super Real Me. Photo: Belift Lab

Illit has been delivering hits since debuting with the album Super Real Me. Photo: Belift Lab

Min Hee-jin, the producer behind the chart-topping girl band NewJeans, resigned from her label on November 20, 2024. Photo: AFP

NewJeans at the Billboard Women in Music Awards in California, US. Photo: Reuters

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Girl group (G)I-DLE, who have announced the renewal of their contracts after seven years in K-pop. Photo: Instagram/miyeonxprincess  

K-pop girl group Aespa on the red carpet at the 2024 Melon Music Awards in Incheon, South Korea, where they won three of the top four awards and seven in all. Photo: Instagram/kjnowjournalistboard

K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE on the red carpet at the 2024 Melon Music Awards in Incheon, South Korea, where they won album of the year and announced the were renewing their contracts. Photo: Instagram/royentertainmentshine

K-pop boy band TWS on the red carpet at the 2024 Melon Music Awards, where they won a rookie of the year award. Photo: Instagram/royentertainmentshine

K-pop girl group Illit, winner of a rookie of the year award in the 2024 Melon Music Awards. Photo: Instagram/royentertainmentshine

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NewJeans performing during the “2024 Korea On Stage – New Generation” live show held in Seoul in May 2024. Photo: AFP

NewJeans attend the Billboard Women in Music Awards in California in March 2024. Photo: Reuters

Min Hee-jin, the name behind NewJeans, resigned from Ador on November 20, 2024. Photo: AFP

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Members of K-pop group Seventeen perform at the Mnet Asian Music Awards show in Hong Kong in 2018. Photo: Mama

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Despite ongoing controversy, with NewJeans’ ex-producer alleging plagiarism, Illit have claimed the title of 2024’s top K-pop rookie act


Despite ongoing controversy, with NewJeans’ ex-producer alleging plagiarism, Illit have claimed the title of 2024’s top K-pop rookie act.


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