On October 21, both popular 4th gen girl groups aespa and ILLIT released their music videos, marking their official comebacks.
aespa made their second comeback of the year with the E.P “Whiplash” and its title track. Competing against BLACKPINK’s Jennie and Rosé on domestic charts, aespa’s success follows their hit Supernova, with high expectations for Whiplash.
“Whiplash” is a techno track featuring deep bass and house rhythms, embodying high-fashion vibes. aespa’s metallic sound is well-received and expected to follow “Supernova” on year-end charts.
The minimalist MV showcases monochromatic visuals and futuristic props, reflecting SM’s high production quality. aespa highlights their beauty, with Giselle standing out in striking pink hair, captivating fans.
Meanwhile, HYBE’s rookie girl group ILLIT makes their first comeback with the mini-album “I’ll Like You” and the title track “Cherish (My Love)”. Following their debut hit “Magnetic”, ILLIT is recognized as HYBE’s “streaming powerhouse” with a fresh, catchy sound.
Despite facing “copycat” accusations due to similarities with NewJeans, ILLIT aims to establish a unique concept with their new release. “Cherish (My Love)” is a short, catchy track designed for easy listening. The group’s vibrant visuals and dreamy themes continue to attract fans who enjoy decoding their mysterious concepts.
In South Korea, both aespa and ILLIT are recognized for their strong digital performance and are serious contenders for end-of-year awards, having achieved impressive Perfect All-Kills. Their simultaneous comebacks have fans excited for changes in the digital music landscape.
While aespa and ILLIT compete as part of rival entertainment giants SM and HYBE, fans are particularly eager for a showdown with BLACKPINK’s Jennie and Rosé. Currently, Rosé leads the Realtime All-Kill title with her hit “APT.”, nearing a Perfect All-Kill. Fans wonder if aespa and ILLIT can challenge Rosé’s success.
In their first hour, “Whiplash” debuted at #4 on Bugs, #7 on MelOn, and #11 on Genie, while “Cherish (My Love)” started at #12 on Bugs, #33 on Genie, and #77 on MelOn. With strong momentum and praise for “Whiplash”, aespa is poised to reach #1 soon, making the current digital music battle highly unpredictable and exciting.
Source: K14
