ILLIT On Breaking The Mold And Shedding Expectations With ‘NOT CUTE ANYMORE’

Just a little over a year since their official debut, ILLIT have undoubtedly emerged as one of K-pop’s most promising acts.

Having made such a strong impression with their debut mini-album SUPER REAL ME, the beloved quintet comprised of YUNAH, MINJU, MOKA, WONHEE, and IROHA has become celebrated for their lightness, charm, and bubbly energy — yet with the release of their latest record, NOT CUTE ANYMORE, it’s clear that this marks a turning point in their evolution as a group. 

As a body of work on its own, NOT CUTE ANYMORE arrives less as a pivot and more as a revelation, a bold reentry that reframes the group’s identity from the inside out, almost as if it were a bittersweet shedding of the image that once defined them. But following a year of constant growth, shifting expectations, and a rapidly expanding audience, ILLIT now step forward ready to reclaim the narrative of who they are and who they can become.

Such a reclamation isn’t merely conceptual, but is the foundation on which the project stands. Coming after the youthful sincerity of SUPER REAL ME and the vibrant, high-impact experimentation of this year’s bomb, this single album marks a distinct turning point in ILLIT’s artistic arc. Having grown increasingly aware of the gap between how they are perceived and the more nuanced realities of their personalities, the group utilizes NOT CUTE ANYMORE as a means of opening the door to those layers, offering a compact but potent set of tracks rooted in self-discovery, vulnerability, and individuality, while also enhanced by new sonic textures such as newfound reggae-pop foundations to a playful interpolation of The Ting Tings’ “That’s Not My Name.”

In that sense, NOT CUTE ANYMORE becomes a rebirth of sorts, not the abandonment of the ILLIT fans already love,  but the emergence of a fuller, more dimensional group. It continues the group’s story with intention, deepening the lore rather than discarding all that came before. As a stepping stone toward more adventurous concepts, this era proves that they can expand their universe without losing their core identity, whilst also serving as a declaration that ILLIT — like anyone daring to redefine themselves — can be anything.

In this exclusive interview with Billboard Philippines, ILLIT sit down to talk about bringing this record to life — opening up about how it reflects their personal journey as both artists and musicians, and how tackling concepts of self-discovery and self-expression have allowed them to channel a more authentic side of themselves.

Billboard Philippines: The title of this first single album, NOT CUTE ANYMORE, is already quite a bold statement on its own, considering your visual identity as a group. How do you think such a title reflects who each of you are as part of ILLIT in the present day?

YUNAH: I feel like saying “NOT CUTE ANYMORE” can actually come across as cute in itself. But at the same time, there’s a hint of bittersweetness, like we’re moving beyond our cute image.

IROHA: Since our debut, we’ve been so grateful that people often call ILLIT “cute,” but through this album, we want to show everyone that we’re more than just cute!

This record sees the group reveal more of your distinct personalities and actual tastes to the rest of the world through your lyricism. What led you guys to tap into this concept of self-discovery and self-expression?

MOKA: Like everyone else, we felt that there are some differences between how the public sees us and how we see ourselves. Our music and performances have amplified a certain part of us, like cuteness, but each one of us has our own personality, style, and taste that go beyond that. That’s why we chose this concept of self-discovery and self-expression — to show more of who we really are and let people see a side of ILLIT they rarely get to see.

WONHEE: With our third mini album, we started to talk about how we interact with others and the outside world, marking a new change. This time, NOT CUTE ANYMORE makes a bold statement that ILLIT won’t be confined by the stereotypes the world has set for us. Staying true to who we are, we tried to express ourselves while showcasing each member’s unique personality and taste!

Given ILLIT’s evolution over time, what do such themes mean for each of you, considering it has been over one year since your debut as a group?

MINJU: I think this album allows us to be more honest with ourselves and to our fans, especially since we’ve grown so close to them over the past year and a half. It’s a chance to show a side of us that’s genuine and unfiltered.

IROHA: I feel that NOT CUTE ANYMORE opens a lot of new doors for ILLIT and we will be able to explore more diverse concepts in the future, continuing to grow as artists.

What was it like to work on NOT CUTE ANYMORE in the studio, especially since this marks the first single album in your discography?

YUNAH: I think it was actually more challenging because I had to sing very gently, without putting any extra force. But at the same time, trying this type of vocal techniques for the first time felt refreshing and exciting, like discovering a new side of my own voice.

WONHEE: Since I had to sing very delicately, it was more difficult than I had expected. I remember spending a lot of time on even a single line, making sure every nuance came through.

The title track features reggae-based pop, which serves as an entirely new sound in your growing discography. What felt most exciting for each of you in experimenting with these new sounds and genres to life on the record?

MOKA: I think the most exciting moment for me was hearing the finished track with all of our voices coming together. It was amazing to hear how everything blended perfectly.

MINJU: For me, it was when I saw the choreography for the first time. Watching it come to life made my heart race—I was so thrilled!

“NOT ME“ borrows elements from the The Ting Tings’ song, “That’s Not My Name.” What led you to incorporate such a popular track within your music, both honoring it while also giving it its own unique twist?

YUNAH: “NOT ME” is a track that says “I am a limitless person who cannot be defined by a single word.” The original song we interpolated, “That’s Not My Name,” carries a similar message. We wanted to express this message through the song while adding ILLIT’s unique color.

WONHEE: “That’s Not My Name” by The Ting Tings is such a classic, with a playful yet firm message: the names or labels people give you are never truly your own. We felt this message really fits with what ILLIT want to express in this album, so we decided to draw inspiration from it. In the highlight part of “NOT ME,” we even used the actual nicknames of our members in the lyrics. It’s our way of saying that while the names and labels given to us may be true in some ways, they don’t define all of who we are as ILLIT.

In the journey of developing this album, what would each of you say were your favorite moments in bringing NOT CUTE ANYMORE to life, whether it was from the music video, concept photos and film, or the recording process?

MINJU: I specifically remember the day we filmed with puppies; it was such a joyful and fun experience. I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time, and it really made the shoot special and memorable.

IROHA: I found it really fascinating that much of the music video was filmed with a dark and slightly eerie atmosphere. It was a style we hadn’t tried before, but it suited the members so well, which made the whole experience really refreshing and enjoyable.

What would you say inspired the creative direction of this release and era of ILLIT, and how would you say it ties into the themes you’re aiming to tackle on the record?

MOKA: This single album really started from the idea of “me” as a person. We wanted to honestly share our own stories and feelings. In that sense, NOT CUTE ANYMORE embodies not the version of ourselves that fits society’s standards, but the different sides and possibilities we feel within ourselves. 

YUNAH: NOT CUTE ANYMORE expresses the “me” that isn’t defined by how the world sees us, but the “me” with countless possibilities and diverse facets. The lyrics to our lead single “NOT CUTE ANYMORE,” reflect each member’s personal tastes, making the song truly reflect who we are.

Considering how NOT CUTE ANYMORE comes just a few months after the release of your third mini album, ‘bomb’, how do you think this continues ILLIT’s story — both individually and as a group?

MINJU: I think it illustrates us gradually developing and growing, both as individuals and as a group. With each release, we try to explore something new no matter how soon we make a comeback, aiming to continue evolving and strengthening our story as ILLIT.

WONHEE: This time, the concept, tracks, and performances are all unique and new. Just like our group name, which hints at the idea that we can be anything—curious about what we can become—we feel like our story is expanding by presenting ourselves in a variety of ways while keeping ILLIT’s identity.

Were there any significant differences in making both of these records? If so, what would they be?

MOKA: “NOT ME” conveys the message that we are not defined by what others think, while “NOT CUTE ANYMORE” expresses that we’re not just the “cute” version people expect of us. Both tracks value who we are in essence.

IROHA: I think what makes this album so special is that both tracks carry the theme of not being cute, but each song has its own unique charm. “NOT ME” doesn’t feel cute the moment you listen to it, while “NOT CUTE ANYMORE” might initially sound a bit cute at first, but you start to see the “not cute” side once you watch the performance.

Given how this album expresses your determination to break free from restrictive labels and not confine yourselves, what purpose do you see this having in your discography moving forward, or even as artists in a rapidly changing scene?

YUNAH: I hope that by listening to this album, more people will believe in their own possibilities and diversity, and move forward with a progressive, growth-oriented mindset. I also hope that everyone’s “inner-self” out there in the world can feel encouraged and uplifted by this song.

MOKA: I think this gives us a chance to explore even more diverse concepts and styles in the future. It’s really exciting to imagine all the new directions we can take.

Following all these impressive releases you’ve put out over the past year, are there any set of sounds that each of you hopes to explore for any of ILLIT’s upcoming set of projects in the near future?

MINJU: I want to take on every concept we haven’t tried before. I’d especially love to explore girl crush or more intense, powerful concepts. It’s exciting to think about showing completely new sides of ourselves.

WONHEE: I’d really like to explore all sorts of different aspects as ILLIT. It’s exciting to think about trying new styles, concepts, and ideas, and showing many sides of ourselves.

Is there anything you could tease regarding what we can expect from ILLIT in 2026?

MOKA: I’m excited about the chance to meet more GLITTs next year and create even more meaningful and unforgettable memories together.

IROHA: I hope we can continue to grow, release more music, and hold tours in bigger venues in the future. It’s exciting to imagine all the experiences and performances we’ll get to share with our fans.

What overall statement or message do you hope NOT CUTE ANYMORE gets to convey to anyone who listens to the record — most especially to your fanbase of GLLIT?

MINJU: I hope people can see the “NOT CUTE ANYMORE” side of us through our honest and playful lyrics, as well as the expressions we show during performances. I want everyone to really notice this new side of ILLIT.

IROHA: ILLIT aren’t just cute! I hope everyone will continue to love and support all the different sides of us~

Lastly, now that the year is ending, what would you like to say to all your GLLITs worldwide who have supported each of you through such a busy year for ILLIT?

YUNAH: GLLITs!!! Thank you for becoming such a precious part of our everyday lives!! We’ll be by your side for a long time!!! Have a wonderful end of the year!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WONHEE: Every time we perform on stage, I’m always touched and motivated by the cheers and support from our GLLITs. I’m truly grateful to all of you for being part of our journey!

Listen to ILLIT’s first single album, NOT CUTE ANYMORE, in its entirety below: