Eyelet Selected as Billboard's 'K-Pop Rookie of the Month' in the US... "Unprecedented Record"

"Working Hard to Come Back with Better Music and Performance"

Group ILLIT has been named Billboard's 'K-Pop Rookie of the Month' in the United States. The success of their debut title track ‘Magnetic’ and their steady popularity were the reasons behind the selection.

Group ILLIT.
[Photo by BELIFT LAB]

On the 28th (local time), the American music media Billboard spotlighted ILLIT in an article titled "Why ‘Magnetic’ Group ILLIT Is Billboard’s First-Ever K-Pop Rookie of the Month," explaining why the rookie group was chosen.

Billboard first noted that ILLIT’s ‘Magnetic’ was the first K-pop group debut song to enter the ‘Hot 100’ chart (ranked 91 on the April 20 issue), and that their mini-album ‘Super Real Me’ also entered the ‘Billboard 200’ chart (ranked 93 on the May 11 issue) as a result.

Additionally, Billboard mentioned that ‘Magnetic’ still remains in the upper ranks of the two latest charts, the ‘Global 200’ and ‘Global 200 (Excluding U.S.)’ (as of the June 29 issue), analyzing that "ILLIT’s international competitiveness is further strengthening."

Billboard evaluated, "ILLIT emerged as a very important group right from their debut," adding, "They set unprecedented records for a K-pop debut song, captivating global music fans with addictive music, sweet vocals, popular choreography, and the members’ charming personalities."

Billboard also introduced ILLIT’s debut process, growth potential, the five members’ activity goals and plans, and the messages they deliver to their fans.

In an interview with Billboard, ILLIT said, "We were surprised that so many people loved ‘Magnetic.’ Although we have not yet been to the U.S., we want to meet our global fans soon," and added, "We are truly grateful for the love we have received from our debut song. We are working hard to come back with better music and performances, so please look forward to it."

ILLIT debuted on March 25 with their mini-album ‘SUPER REAL ME.’ The album’s title track ‘Magnetic’ expresses the heart of a teenage girl running at full speed toward the person she likes.

Before their success on the U.S. Billboard charts, ‘Magnetic’ also swept major domestic music charts. It entered the UK Official Chart ‘Singles Top 100’ at number 80 (April 5 issue), showing its prominence. Later, the song expanded its global popularity by setting a new record for the fastest 100 million streams for a girl group single on Japan’s Oricon ‘Weekly Streaming Ranking’ chart.

ILLIT is scheduled to attend the ‘2024 TMEA 5th Tencent Music Entertainment Awards’ on the 19th of next month, where they will meet fans in the Chinese-speaking region for the first time since their debut.