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.
