This K-Pop Star Sparks Global Frenzy—International Fans Can’t Get Enough!

K-pop girl group ILLIT has made history with their Japanese original song “Almond Chocolate,” dominating major Japanese music charts and setting a new milestone for K-pop.

According to their agency BELIFT LAB, “Almond Chocolate” ranked 6th on Apple Music Japan’s weekly song chart for the week of March 31 to April 6, climbing two spots from the previous week. This marks the highest-ever ranking for a Japanese original song by a K-pop group on the platform.

Since its release on February 14, the song has shown steady momentum: debuting at No. 56, then rising to No. 23, No. 8, and now No. 6 in consecutive weeks. During the same period, it also placed 10th on the Oricon Weekly Streaming Chart, becoming the highest-ranked K-pop girl group song released in Japan last year.

The track also landed at No. 10 on Billboard Japan’s Weekly Streaming Songs chart and No. 13 on the Hot 100, further cementing its global popularity.

On YouTube Music Japan’s trending songs chart, the track ranked 21st as of April 4—an impressive feat without a dedicated performance music video, proving the song’s standalone appeal and commercial strength.

“Almond Chocolate” was chosen as the theme song for the Japanese film “I Don’t Like You Just for Your Face”. With poetic lyrics likening bittersweet love to almond chocolate, the track has been praised for its emotionally rich melody and message.

The song was produced by Rikajin, the leader of Japanese band SEKAI NO OWARI, and Pdogg, the hitmaker behind many of BTS’s biggest songs, further boosting its quality and attention.

The track has also gone viral on TikTok, remaining in the Top 10 of weekly streaming charts for three consecutive weeks and being used in over 47,000 videos, proving its widespread appeal in short-form content as well.

Who Is ILLIT?

ILLIT is a five-member girl group under HYBE’s BELIFT LAB, formed through the audition program “R U Next?”. The group’s name combines “I will” and “It,” symbolizing self-defined potential and identity.

The members—Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha—bring together diverse nationalities, personalities, and charms, forming a team tailored for global fans.

Their debut title track “Magnetic” entered domestic and international charts immediately upon release, also landing on the Billboard U.S. charts, proving their rapidly growing popularity.

Known for their trendy sound, sharp performance, and stylish concepts, I’LL-IT has already established a distinct identity. With each member’s individuality shining through, the group has shown strong potential in building a loyal fandom and engaging with global audiences. Backed by HYBE’s full support, they continue to expand their presence through music, content, and innovative marketing.