ILLIT, consisting of members Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha, released their first single album 'NOT CUTE ANYMORE' on the 24th. The title track of the same name is a pop genre based on reggae rhythms, expressing a desire to move beyond just being seen as cute.
The new song maintains a calm flow with its minimal sound and repetitive structure. The conversational vocals and simple melody line are distinctive, showcasing the evolved vocal tones of the five members and highlighting a change in the group's musical color.
On the same day, ILLIT held a fan event titled 'Graduation Party from Cuteness' at Megabox COEX in Gangnam, Seoul, to celebrate the release. The members expressed, "It's not just a simple concept change; we wanted to show a broader side of ourselves."
Their performance is also gaining attention. In the music video, ILLIT presents a different tone with expressionless faces and restrained movements. Simple gestures, like covering their faces with their hands and then revealing smiles, effectively shift the mood and engage viewers.
Global fans are responding positively, commenting on the "high quality of 'NOT CUTE ANYMORE'," "its fitting composition for the winter season," and "its soothing style."
The song's performance on music charts is becoming evident. The title track entered Melon's 'Hot 100' at 8th place on the day of release and topped Japan's AWA real-time rising chart. Additionally, it ranked high on iTunes 'Top Songs' and YouTube Trending Music in over 10 countries and regions.