Surpassing 50 Million Streams in Just Five Months

Shortest Time for a Song Released by an International Artist This Year

Source: Belift Lab

[The Fact | Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Group Illit has achieved another exciting milestone ahead of their Japanese debut.

The Recording Industry Association of Japan announced on the 28th that Illit (Yoona, Minju, Mocha, Wonhee, Iroha)'s first Japanese original song, "Almond Chocolate," had surpassed 50 million cumulative streams as of July, earning it Gold certification in the streaming category.

"Almond Chocolate" achieved Gold certification approximately five months after its release, making it the fastest-growing song by an international artist this year.

The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIJ) awards monthly certifications based on the cumulative number of streams (plays), including Gold (over 50 million), Platinum (over 100 million), and Diamond (over 500 million).

This marks Ailitt's second streaming certification from the RIJ. Their debut song "Magnetic" previously received Double Platinum certification (200 million cumulative streams) just 10 months after its release. This marks the fastest time for a female group, including Japanese artists, to achieve this certification.

"Almond Chocolate" was produced in February as the theme song for the film "I Don't Like You Just by Your Face." The song has steadily gained popularity, exquisitely blending lyrics about the heart-fluttering feelings of a crush with a melodic, sentimental melody.

As of July 7th, "Almond Chocolate" surpassed 50 million cumulative streams on the Oricon chart, setting a record for the most streamed song by a female overseas artist released in the first half of the year. It was also the only K-pop group to rank on Amazon Music Japan's first-half Top 50 chart.

Meanwhile, Illit will make their official debut on September 1st with the release of their first Japanese single, "Toki Yo Tomare (original title: 時よ止まれ/Toki Yo Tomare, Time, Stop)". Following this, they will meet fans at the fan concert "2025 ILLIT GLITTER DAY IN JAPAN" at Osaka-jo Hall in Osaka on September 3rd and 4th.