ILLIT returns to 'THE FIRST TAKE' with 'Almond Chocolate', captivating fans with their beautiful voices and unique arrangements.
October/16/2025 10:55
ILLIT appeared again on 'THE FIRST TAKE' and captivated fans with their beautiful singing in 'Almond Chocolate' following 'Magnetic'. Yesterday (15th) at 10 PM, ILLIT appeared in the 600th episode of the YouTube channel 'THE FIRST TAKE' and showcased their first original Japanese song 'Almond Chocolate', which created a whirlwind in the first half of this year. ILLIT previously appeared in episode 596, presenting a city pop arrangement of their debut song 'Magnetic'. The comments section of the video and social media were flooded with positive feedback such as 'Each member's voice is charming' and 'Sophisticated arrangement, I can't stop listening'. When it was announced that they would appear again with 'Almond Chocolate', many comments of anticipation were received. 'Almond Chocolate' is ILLIT's first original Japanese song released digitally in February this year. It was used as the theme song for the movie 'I Can't Fall in Love Just by Looks' (released on March 7), and gained attention for being produced in collaboration with music producer Pdogg, known for working with SEKAI NO OWARI's Nakajin and BTS's hit songs. This song expresses passionate feelings and love by likening their favorite to 'almond chocolate', making it a song for fans. In 'THE FIRST TAKE', it was reborn with a non-beat acoustic arrangement. Set to a beautiful melody featuring acoustic guitar and piano, ILLIT showcased their clear and sweet singing voice in a sophisticated atmosphere. In particular, Wonhee's three high notes, which received acclaim in the original song, and the overlapping main and sub vocals of the members reaffirmed ILLIT's high singing ability. The special arrangement allows listeners to feel the sweet love depicted in 'Almond Chocolate' even more purely and sweetly. 'Almond Chocolate' has recorded an unusual hit as a Japanese original song by a K-POP artist, becoming a representative song for ILLIT alongside their debut song 'Magnetic'. The sparkling J-POP style melody and straightforward lyrics about sweet love have captured the hearts of listeners, resonating especially with Gen Z. Starting from influencers popular among teenagers, the song went viral through TikTok dance challenge videos, and 'Almond Chocolate (Sped Up)' entered the TOP 10 of the TikTok music chart for five consecutive weeks, maintaining stable popularity. It continues to achieve long hits on major Japanese charts. In the 'Oricon Weekly Streaming Ranking' published on April 9, it ranked 10th for the highest position and highest number of plays among overseas girl groups and songs released this year. In the Apple Music 'Weekly Song Ranking', it rose to 6th place (aggregation period: March 31 - April 6), recording the second-highest position among K-POP girl group original songs in Japan (according to Universal Music). According to the mid-year chart released by Billboard JAPAN, both 'Magnetic' and 'Almond Chocolate' ranked 58th and 80th respectively on the overall chart 'Hot 100', making ILLIT the only K-POP artist to have two songs ranked on that chart. Even six months after its release, the heat has not cooled down, and according to the Japan Record Association's streaming certification, it surpassed 50 million cumulative plays as of July, achieving 'Gold' certification. This accomplishment marks the fastest 'Gold' certification among songs released by foreign artists this year (according to Universal Music).
Related Articles
As the 2026 university entrance exams approach, many K-pop idols born in 2007, including members of tripleS and IVE, have opted out to focus on their careers. Notably, ZEROBASEONE's Han Yujin will take the exam while balancing studies and entertainment. The exams are scheduled for November 13, 2026.
The 17th MelOn Music Awards (MMA 2025) will take place on December 20, 2025, at the Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome and will be live-streamed exclusively on U-NEXT. The event will feature performances from popular K-POP artists like IVE and G-DRAGON, and introduce a new award for 'Japan Favorite Artist by U-NEXT'. Voting opens on December 5.
The first lineup for the 2025 FNS歌謡祭 has been announced, airing on December 3 and 10. Hosts Masaki Aiba and announcer Seika Inoue will present performances from TWS, TREASURE, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and ILLIT, showcasing a variety of popular artists in a total of 8.5 hours of live broadcast.
The MelOn Music Awards 2025 will showcase leading K-POP artists such as IVE, PLAVE, and BOYNEXTDOOR, celebrating their achievements over the past year. The event, held on December 20 at the Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome, promises exciting performances and highlights the growth of these artists in the global music scene.
ILLIT is set to perform the ending theme for the Korean version of the Pokémon anime, with their song 'Secret Quest' released on November 4. The track features a warm sound and a story about discovering hidden secrets through adventure. ILLIT expresses excitement about contributing to a beloved series from their childhood, aiming to inspire listeners with dreams and hope. They are also involved in the second season of another anime, showcasing their rising popularity in the OST scene.
ILLIT collaborates with popular US producers for their first single 'NOT CUTE ANYMORE,' expressing a desire to break free from being seen as cute. The track, produced by Grammy-nominated Jasper Harris, features contributions from international songwriters. The single reflects the artist's journey and will be followed by a concert in Seoul, which sold out quickly.
ILLIT has been chosen as the theme song artist for the anime "Hime-sama 'Goumon' no Jikan desu" Season 2, airing in January 2026. They expressed excitement about contributing to a beloved series and look forward to the synergy between their music and the anime. ILLIT debuted in March 2024 and has achieved significant success with their music, including a hit single and upcoming projects.
The 2025 MUSIC BANK GLOBAL FESTIVAL IN JAPAN will take place on December 13-14, 2025, at the National Stadium, hosted by Lee Jun-young and IVE's Wonyoung. Major K-POP artists like ATEEZ, Stray Kids, and more will perform. VIP ticket upgrades will be available starting November 11, 2025.
On the afternoon of the 29th, a fashion event for H&M's opening in Songsoo-dong, Seoul, featured idols like TWICE's Mina, IVE's Gaul, and others. Additionally, Mina appeared in a dress on the cover of '25ans', while IVE's Gaul and Iso presented a cozy holiday-themed photoshoot in 'Allure Korea'.
ILLIT is set to return on November 24 with a new album, gradually unveiling its concept through promotional materials. The first single, "NOT CUTE ANYMORE," explores themes of identity and self-perception. Fans can expect teasers, including concept photos and a music video, leading up to the release. A collaboration with Ashley Williams adds a stylish touch to their merchandise, enhancing their appeal as trendsetters. ILLIT will also hold a fan event in Seoul on November 8-9, showcasing their strong ticket demand.
