From Sold-Out Concerts to Platinum Records: ILLIT Takes Over Japan’s Music Scene

The breakthrough K-pop girl group ILLIT is officially continuing their massive rise in Japan by securing another major musical milestone. According to an official announcement from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) on June 25, 2026, the group’s first original Japanese track, “Almond Chocolate,” has officially earned a Platinum certification in the streaming category after crossing 100 million cumulative plays as of May.

The RIAJ awards monthly certifications based on strict streaming thresholds, separating tracks into Gold (over 50 million streams), Platinum (over 100 million streams), Double Platinum (over 200 million streams), and Diamond (over 500 million streams).

A Massive Awards History and Growing Record Collection

Originally released back in February 2025, “Almond Chocolate” took the local music scene by storm, earning its initial Gold certification in just five months. The track’s long-running popularity eventually led it onto multiple major Japanese year-end music charts. Most notably, the song took home the prestigious “Excellent Work Award” at the 67th Japan Record Awards, standing out as a premier track represented by an international artist.

With this latest update, ILLIT under HYBE’s sub-label BELIFT LAB now boasts a total of three separate RIAJ streaming certifications:

• “Magnetic”: Their historic debut track officially achieved a massive Double Platinum certification after passing 200 million streams within just 10 months of its global release.
• “Lucky Girl Syndrome”: A popular B-side track from their very first mini-album comfortably locked in a Gold certification.
• “Almond Chocolate”: Their original Japanese track extends their platinum collection by clearing the 100 million stream mark.

Sold-Out Concert Tours and Next Month’s Comeback Plans

ILLIT consisting of members Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha is currently interacting directly with local supporters through their highly successful first-ever Japanese tour, titled “ILLIT LIVE ‘PRESS START︎’ in JAPAN.” Demonstrating their massive ticket-selling power, every single tour date across five major Japanese hub cities has completely sold out. Due to the explosive demand, the concert organizers had to open up additional rows of limited-view and standing-room-only seats just to accommodate the massive crowds of fans.

To keep the momentum going, the group officially announced plans for a fresh late-summer release during their ongoing tour. ILLIT will globally drop the full digital tracks for their highly anticipated second Japanese single, I Got Your Back, on July 26, 2026, followed by the official physical store album release three days later on July 29.

The new title track, which will serve as the central opening theme song for Season 2 of the popular television anime series Princess “Torture” Time, will feature a special collaboration version with Japan’s legendary fashion magazine FRUiTS. By perfectly blending their trendsetting lifestyle fashion choices with infectious pop melodies, ILLIT is safely proving that their hold on the Gen Z and millennial markets will only grow stronger.