ILLIT Electrifies 'Rock in Japan Festival' Main Stage, Captivates 40,000 Fans with K-Pop Magic

Girl group ILLIT has successfully commanded the main stage at the prestigious 'Rock in Japan Festival 2025' (RIJF), one of Japan's largest rock festivals, earning enthusiastic responses from local fans.

On August 14th, at Chiba's Soga Sports Park, the five members—Yuna, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha—delivered a powerful set of 11 songs performed live with a band. RIJF, celebrating its 26th anniversary, is a highly respected event drawing over 200,000 attendees annually. ILLIT filled the main stage (GRASS STAGE), capable of accommodating approximately 40,000 people.

The group kicked off their performance with a fresh rendition of 'Toki Yo Tomare,' setting a vibrant tone. They then heightened the festival's energy with swing and nu-disco versions of 'Tick-Tack' and 'Lucky Girl Syndrome,' respectively. The anticipation was palpable as the intro to 'Almond Chocolate,' a hit on local charts earlier this year, erupted into cheers.

ILLIT showcased their impressive live vocals and stage presence with a powerful rock interpretation of 'Cherish (My Love),' displaying exceptional singing ability in front of standing microphones. During 'I’ll Like You' and 'Topping,' they connected closely with the audience, singing amidst the crowd. ILLIT hyped the venue, stating, "We're confident in our live performance with the band, so let's enjoy it together. We'll pour all our energy out."

A spectacular moment occurred during the 'oops!' performance as the audience synchronously twirled towels to the chorus. ILLIT responded with a high-energy delivery of intricate choreography for 'jellyous.' The festival grounds became a frenzy of excitement as tens of thousands of fans roared their approval during '빌려온 고양이 (Do the Dance)' and 'Magnetic.'

After their 40-minute performance, ILLIT expressed their awe, remarking, "The energy from the audience today is immense. The atmosphere is even better than we expected." The members playfully added, "We've secretly cast a magic spell on you all while singing. From now on, only lucky things will happen to everyone," delighting the fans.

Meanwhile, ILLIT continues to make waves in Japan beyond festivals, actively participating in broadcasts. Their recent features on popular shows like TBS's 'Yoru no Buranchi' (Night Brunch) and NHK's 'Venue101,' where their live performance garnered significant attention, underscore their rising popularity in the country.

ILLIT, managed by Belift Lab under Hybe Corporation, debuted in March 2024 as a five-member girl group. Their debut track 'Magnetic' achieved massive success, instantly propelling them to stardom. The 'Rock in Japan Festival' served as a crucial platform to demonstrate their versatile musical range and live performance capabilities.