The group ILLIT will officially debut in Japan this coming September.
According to its agency BELIFT LAB, ILLIT’s first Japanese single, titled “TOKI YO TOMARE” (original title 時よ止まれ), will be released digitally on September 1, with the physical version following on September 3.
“Toki Yo Tomare”, which means “Let time stop”, captures the brilliance of a fleeting moment of youth that one wishes would never end. The single will include four tracks in total: two brand-new songs, a Japanese version of “Do the dance” (the title track of their 3rd mini-album “BOMB”), and “Almond chocolate”, its first original Japanese track released last February, which unexpectedly climbed the local charts.
The release poster perfectly reflects ILLIT’s signature youthful and emotional aesthetic. Surrounding the logo of the single are whimsical props like a magic wand tucked inside a drawer and a ribbon-adorned clock, sparking imagination and curiosity.
Even before officially releasing an album in Japan, ILLIT was already enjoying strong popularity in the country. Their debut song and global hit “Magnetic” remained a long-standing success in Japan, dominating several year-end charts. Thanks to this momentum, they appeared on NHK’s prestigious year-end music festival “Kōhaku Uta Gassen” and became the first K-pop girl group in 13 years to win the Best New Artist Award at the 66th Japan Record Awards.
To celebrate its Japanese debut, ILLIT will hold a series of fan concerts titled “2025 ILLIT GLITTER DAY IN JAPAN”, where they’ll meet local fans. The shows will take place on August 10–11 at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama (Kanagawa Prefecture), and on September 3–4 at Osaka-jō Hall in Osaka. All reserved seating tickets sold out quickly, showcasing their impressive ticket power.
Meanwhile, ILLIT’s track “Do the dance” has recently gained popularity through performances on music shows. It entered Melon’s daily chart at #82 (on June 16) and climbed to #31 (as of July 9).
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS ILLIT
