ILLIT is Back with Cute Summer Concept “빌려온 고양이 (Do the Dance)”

Photo: Belift Lab

ILLIT is now nearly a year and a half into their career and has solidified their signature concept and sound. With the insane virality of their debut title “Magnetic,” it’s no surprise that Belift Lab would continue to try and recreate the magic with each comeback. ILLIT has been described as a group that has a concept based on the simple and relatable experience of teenage girls rather than forming complex backstories, which some industry experts have attributed their popularity to. With a solidified concept, it’s pretty easy to predict what we’re going to get from a comeback from the girls.

Having already achieved a mega-hit, it’s no surprise that new mini-album Bomb and title track “빌려온 고양이 (Do the Dance)” have already done well on the charts, selling over 325,000 copies in the pre-order period and entering the Melon Top 100 Music Chart. “빌려온 고양이 (Do the Dance)” reminds me a lot of late ‘90s and early 2000s pop, with a driving trance beat as the basis of the melody to create an upbeat and driving track. It almost sounds like the kind of song you’d hear on a DDR game back in the day. The formula is simple, but it is popular and fits the group concept, so it’s easy to see the vision here. Much like previous releases, as well, there is a repetition portion of the chorus that’s meant to create an earworm. 

The music video shows the carefree nature of teenage summer love, with some additional quirks; the group features in their concept. The upbeat track gets equally bright and pretty. The bright green fields complemented by flowy mint skirts in a sunny atmosphere contrast with the second location of a populated city night scene, and of course, the quintessential amusement park and ferris wheel summer festival setting.  

Watch the video for “빌려온 고양이 (Do the Dance)” below!

Edited by Joi Berry