ILLIT captivates at FNS Music Festival 2025 with hits like 'Almond Chocolate' and a cover of '出逢った頃のように'.
December/11/2025 12:15Related Groups & Members
ILLIT appeared on the Fuji TV music special '2025 FNS Music Festival Night 2' broadcast on December 10, captivating with their hit song 'Almond Chocolate' and cover stage. ILLIT first appeared in a red check-themed outfit for the program's opening medley. They sang 'Koi Bito ga Santa Claus' (Yumi Matsutoya), and at the end of the song, all performers gathered to start the show in a glamorous opening. Next, they showcased their first original Japanese song 'Almond Chocolate', released in February this year. The song, provided by Nakajin of SEKAI NO OWARI, became a long hit, which is unusual for a K-POP group's original song in Japan. Against a backdrop of night scenery, they sang the sweet lyrics cutely, adding to the holiday season's atmosphere. Their cover stage of Every Little Thing's 'Deatta Koro no Yō ni' also attracted attention. Released in August 1997, it is one of Every Little Thing's representative songs and a major hit in the J-POP scene. ILLIT delivered the song with their five voices, as they stated, matching their clear singing voices with the song and captivating the audience with an emotional performance. Social media was flooded with comments like 'Their Japanese pronunciation is perfect' and 'Their transparent singing voice is charming', gathering a strong response. ILLIT also appeared in last year's 'FNS Music Festival', performing their globally successful debut song 'Magnetic', marking their second consecutive appearance in the year-end music special program. The showcased 'Almond Chocolate' has become a popular song following 'Magnetic' and won the 'Excellent Work Award' at the 67th Japan Record Awards, being the only overseas artist to receive this award. With this, ILLIT became the first K-POP girl group to win two awards: 'New Artist Award' last year and 'Excellent Work Award' this year (according to Universal Music). The presence of these two songs shines in annual rankings of major charts. Both songs ranked simultaneously in the Billboard JAPAN 2025 annual chart 'JAPAN Hot 100' and 'Streaming Songs', and in LINE MUSIC's 'Comprehensive TOP 100 - 2025 Annual', announced on the 5th and 8th, respectively. ILLIT is the only overseas artist to achieve simultaneous ranking in these charts. As the year-end approaches, they are also set to appear on TBS's 'CDTV Live! Live! Christmas LOVE SONG Fes.' on the 15th, TBS's '67th Japan Record Awards' on the 30th, and the '76th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen' on the 31st. Their consecutive appearance in the '76th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen' is a remarkable achievement, being the first and only K-POP 5th generation group to do so, proving ILLIT's strong popularity in Japan. Their rising momentum makes them increasingly unmissable.
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The 2025 FNS歌謡祭's second night showcased popular Korean artists including 東方神起, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ILLIT, and NiziU, each delivering unique performances. Highlights included 東方神起's collaboration on 'OH MY LITTLE GIRL' and TOMORROW X TOGETHER's 'Can't Stop'. ILLIT and NiziU also impressed with their covers and original songs.
The 67th Japan Record Awards will feature performances by popular K-pop artists ILLIT, &TEAM, and BOYNEXTDOOR, who have received multiple awards. ILLIT won the Excellent Work Award for 'Almond Chocolate', &TEAM received the Special International Music Award, and BOYNEXTDOOR won Rookie of the Year. The event will air on December 30 from 5:30 PM to 10 PM.
On the morning of the 9th, ILLIT departed for Japan through Gimpo International Airport for the 2025 FNS Music Festival. This article is based on local media coverage. Additionally, four groups from Korea, including TXT and TREASURE, are confirmed to perform at the festival. ILLIT recently achieved their first No. 1 after their comeback on 'Music Bank,' thanking their fans for the support.
ILLIT celebrated their first trophy win after their comeback on KBS 2TV's Music Bank for their single 'NOT CUTE ANYMORE'. They expressed gratitude to fans and staff, showcasing a captivating performance with stylish winter fashion. The song has topped charts globally, including Spotify and Billboard, and continues to receive positive reviews.
ILLIT, gaining popularity with their 1st single 'NOT CUTE ANYMORE', has achieved notable success in Japan and Korea. Their songs 'Almond Chocolate' and 'Magnetic' ranked 77th and 91st on the Billboard JAPAN Hot 100. They also excelled on Spotify, ranking among the top artists and groups for streaming. Their latest single is trending among teens and gaining traction on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
On December 15, TBS will air the Christmas LOVE SONG Fes., featuring artists such as ILLIT, ENHYPEN, and Stray Kids. This special will showcase popular love songs and includes a performance by Gen Hoshino. The event is part of a three-week series leading to a New Year's countdown special on December 31.
ILLIT makes a comeback with their first single 'NOT CUTE ANYMORE', revealing a more mature side and a broader musical spectrum. The members express excitement about showcasing their unique charm and growth, emphasizing that they cannot be defined by cuteness alone. They aim for deeper connections with fans and hope to achieve success in music charts.
ILLIT's first single 'NOT CUTE ANYMORE' has quickly climbed to 3rd place on Japan's Oricon daily singles chart, reflecting their rising popularity. The music video has garnered over 10 million views in just 29 hours, and the song's unique sound and lyrics resonate with listeners, expressing a desire to be seen beyond mere cuteness. Their performance film showcases a minimalist yet captivating style, further enhancing their appeal.
ILLIT's music video for 'NOT CUTE ANYMORE' has surpassed 10 million views, highlighting their individuality and humor. The song has ranked highly in multiple countries and received praise from music media. Additionally, their MV for 'little monster' won a prestigious award, further showcasing their creative talent. ILLIT is set to perform on KBS 2TV's 'Music Bank' soon, raising expectations for their future activities.
