ILLIT's New Mini Album 'bomb' Achieves Impressive Sales on Release Day

On June 17, 2025, ILLIT (윤아, 민주, 모카, 원희, 이로하) kicked off their popularity surge with the successful release of their third mini album, 'bomb' (밤). According to the Hanteo Chart, the album sold an impressive 326,117 copies on its release day, securing the top spot on the daily album chart.

ILLIT continues to break their own first-day sales records with each new release, showcasing a steady upward trend. Notably, 'bomb' has made its mark not only in South Korea but also in various countries such as Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, where it has ranked high on the iTunes and Apple Music 'Top Albums' charts, indicating ILLIT's expanding global influence.

The title track, '빌려온 고양이 (Do the Dance)', has also made waves in the music scene. Upon its release, it quickly entered the Melon 'Top 100' and real-time charts on Bugs and Genie. With its dreamy yet upbeat rhythm and catchy lyrics like '둠칫냐옹' and '꿍실냐옹', the song is expected to gain even more traction.

ILLIT's popularity is particularly evident on major Japanese music platforms, where tracks 'little monster' and 'oops!' have alternated in taking the top spot on the AWA Music real-time rising chart. The title track '빌려온 고양이 (Do the Dance)', along with 'jellyous' and '밤소풍', has dominated the top five positions on this chart.

The music video for 'Do the Dance' has also received a warm reception, showcasing the bold and determined girls as they pursue their first love. The video quickly gained views and landed in the upper ranks of YouTube's trending music section. Fans have praised it in the comments, noting, "I can't stop thinking about it," and "It feels fresh while still embodying ILLIT's unique style."

The signature hand gesture choreography, known as the 'cat stretch dance', has become a hot topic as well. This cute and easy-to-follow dance is expected to set trends across various short-form video platforms.

International media have also lauded the album. The British music magazine NME described 'bomb' as a whirlwind of upbeat pop music, stating, "With their third album, ILLIT seems to have firmly grasped a style that suits them well." They highlighted the charming post-chorus of 'Do the Dance', which features playful 'do' and 'da' sounds, likening it to the sweet nervousness of young lovers.

To celebrate the release of 'bomb', ILLIT has organized various events. On the same day, they held a 'Friends Night Picnic' at the outdoor stage of Yeobit Island in Seoul, where they performed their new songs for the first time. Additionally, a pop-up store at STAGE35 in Seongsu, running until June 26, features a photo zone themed around 'bomb' and offers physical albums and merchandise.