ILLIT

In K-pop, the album is no longer just something fans collect. It has evolved into something they use, incorporating music into their daily lives through practical items. Long a cornerstone of the industry’s revenue model, physical albums have survived the streaming era not by combining with digital platforms, but by changing form. What began as CDs bundled with photobooks, posters and randomized inclusions evolved into merchandise such as keychain albums. Now, a new phase is taking shape, one that pushes albums beyond mere display value and into everyday utility. Belift Lab’s girl group ILLIT offers a clear example of that shift. Ahead of its April 30 return with the EP “MAMIHLAPINATAPAI,” the group unveiled a dog-shaped gua sha version of the album, including a functional self-care tool with the upcoming release. The object retains its real-world use while carrying the group’s visual identity. According to the agency, the idea was designed to reflect the B-side track “GRWM (Get Ready With Me),” with the gua sha evoking a beauty routine. The dog-shaped design also nods to a

Illit's debut music video "Magnetic" has surpassed 300 million YouTube views as of Sunday, agency Belift Lab said Monday. The video was unveiled in March 2024 for the main track of the group’s first EP “Super Real Me,” showing the goofy yet lovely sides of the five members. “Magnetic” entered Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 91, becoming the first debut single from a K-pop group to enter the main songs chart. It did so barely three weeks after the quintet’s debut, a record in K-pop. The single swept a

K-pop boy groups NCT 127, Tomorrow X Together (TXT) and ZEROBASEONE will headline KCON LA 2026 this August, the event's organizer said Friday as it unveiled a star-studded lineup for the upcoming U.S. leg of the annual overseas Korean culture festival. Korean media and entertainment giant CJ ENM announced the artists for the "M Countdown" show, the festival's signature K-pop concert series. Each headliner will perform an expanded one-hour set, offering a concert-scale experience to global fans. The Los Angeles event is scheduled for Aug. 14-16 at Crypto.com Arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center. It follows the festival's 2026 kick-off in Japan, which will take place from May 8-10 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. According to the organizer, NCT 127, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, will be joined by Zerobaseone, which recently recorded its sixth consecutive million-seller album, and TXT, which is currently preparing for a highly anticipated comeback. The U.S. lineup also features a diverse array of rising K-pop acts, including ILLIT, izna, Meovv, P1Harmony, TREASURE and &Team.