Giving Attention to ILLIT’s Japanese Debut Single Album, Toki Yo Tomare

Photo: ILLIT Official Japan X

After releasing many catchy songs in South Korea, ILLIT has set their sights on Japan getting caught in their allure. They made their Japanese debut with the single album Toki Yo Tomare on September 1. Toki Yo Tomare includes the title track of the same name, the Japanese pre-release song “Topping,” a Japanese version of the Korean title track “Billyeoon Goyangi (Do the Dance),” and the Japanese OST song “Almond Chocolate.” 

ILLIT already gained Japanese popularity prior to this official debut. As of September, “Almond Chocolate” and Korean tracks “Magnetic” and “Lucky Girl Syndrome” each achieved 50 million cumulative streams in Japan. This gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) means the group’s popularity can only grow from here. 

“Toki Yo Tomare”

“Toki Yo Tomare” treasures memories made during adolescence. “Toki Yo Tomare” (“時よ止まれ”) translates to “Time, please stop,” which alludes to the song’s wish to remain in eternal youth. ILLIT creates many danceworthy songs and “Toki Yo Tomare” achieves the same effect with a disco-pop beat. 

ILLIT also partnered with the Care Bears franchise for this Japanese debut’s marketing and merchandising. A limited CD version for Toki Yo Tomare came with a Care Bears and ILLIT cover and ILLIT sold additional themed merchandise, such as plushies and keychains. While Care Bears stuffed dolls do appear in the “Toki Yo Tomare” music video, the video focuses on high school hangouts.  

“Almond Chocolate”

ILLIT put out their first Japanese single, “Almond Chocolate,” on February 14. This Valentine’s Day release compares love to the taste of almond chocolate, a bittersweet yet addicting flavor. “You’re my energy, say goodbye to worries / But love’s a tricky thing, gives rise to new worries,” ILLIT outlines about conflicts caused by romantic feelings. 

In contrast to ILLIT’s high-energy tracks, “Almond Chocolate” has a more subdued sound. The classical stringed instruments give it a nostalgic, yearning feeling. With this sound in mind, “Almond Chocolate” makes an appearance on the soundtrack for the movie I Don’t Like You Just Because of Your Face (顔だけじゃ好きになりません), which came out on March 7. The song received a Korean version a few days later. 

“Topping” 

“Topping” is a pop song co-written and co-composed by Japanese singer-songwriter noa. It describes the “emotions of a girl preparing for her first date.” ILLIT unveiled the song during their 2025 ILLIT GLITTER DAY IN JAPAN fanmeeting tour, held in August and September. noa joined the members for a surprise performance in Yokohama. Like with “Almond Chocolate,” “Topping” also ties into promotional material: the song accompanied commercials for LACOSTE JAPAN.

2024 saw ILLIT debuting with viral songs, and 2025 sees them expanding into the Japanese market. Who knows what the rest of the year holds? With a November comeback in the works, ILLIT’s next release will likely follow its predecessors as something endlessly memorable.

Edited by Clark Royandoyan