[OSENWORLD] ILLIT are proving themselves as Japan’s newest K-pop darlings, with their first Japanese single making a major splash on the charts and beyond.
On September 10, Oricon reported that ILLIT’s debut Japanese single Toki Yo Tomare (時よ止まれ) ranked No. 2 on the latest Weekly Singles Chart (dated Sept. 15, covering Sept. 1–7). The single surpassed the Japanese first-week sales of their Korean mini album bomb on its very first day, highlighting their rapid rise in the market.
The title track is also making waves on streaming platforms. Upon release, Toki Yo Tomare shot to No. 1 on AWA Music’s real-time chart and has consistently held strong positions since. Its music video — a playful, nostalgic visual filled with ILLIT’s signature playful spirit — topped LINE Music’s “Top 100 Music Videos” in real time and continues to rank high on the daily chart.
ILLIT’s live performances have further fueled the buzz. The group’s bright disco-pop number has captivated fans with its refreshing energy, while its catchy point dance mimicking the ticking of a clock has gone viral on short-form platforms.
To mark their Japanese debut, ILLIT have actively expanded local fan engagement. Their first fan concert series “2025 ILLIT GLITTER DAY IN JAPAN” drew around 40,000 attendees across two cities in August and September. Pop-up stores in Shibuya, decorated subway stations, and themed cafés also attracted fans in droves, reinforcing their growing popularity.
Next up, ILLIT will appear at Rock in Japan Festival 2025 on September 14 in Chiba’s Soga Sports Park. Performing on the festival’s main Grass Stage — which drew more than 270,000 attendees last year — ILLIT’s participation is expected to solidify their standing as one of the country’s hottest K-pop newcomers.
/k_inside@osen.co.kr
Courtesy of Belift Lab
