According to BELIFT LAB, the management unit under HYBE, the album will be officially released on April 30, while pre-order activities have been started since March 31. Right from the name, "Mamihlapinatapai" has attracted attention when it originates from the language of the Yaghan people (South America), describing the moment when two people want the same thing but both hesitate, waiting for the other to take the initiative. This is also the theme throughout the album, exploiting complex emotions in the development of relationships.
The title track "It's me" is introduced with a confident color, expressing ILLIT's characteristic youthful energy. The song recreates the moment after the first date, when emotions become clearer, and also shows proactiveness in defining relationships with a frank message: "I'm your favorite!". This approach is considered a remarkable shift, as the group chooses to express more sincerity and directness in emotions.
Since its debut, ILLIT has quickly attracted attention with a series of products such as "Magnetic", "Cherish (my love)", "Do the dance" or "Not cute anymore". These songs contribute to shaping their own style, often called "ILLIT core" - a combination of freshness, cuteness and modern personality. With the new product, the group is expected to continue to expand the color of music, while delving into the inner element.
The lineup including Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee and Iroha is expected to bring a more mature image, clearly showing a change in artistic thinking. A representative of BELIFT LAB said that the highlight of the album lies in the fact that the members focus on the inner world, even enjoying complex emotions instead of avoiding them.
In the past year, ILLIT recorded many notable achievements when continuously appearing on the Billboard 200 chart with previous albums. The song "Not cute anymore" also reached a high position on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, showing its appeal in the international market. In Japan, the group continued to expand its influence when winning an award at the prestigious music awards ceremony of this country.
Besides music release activities, the group's first tour named "ILLIT live PRESS START♥" also recorded great attraction as performances in Seoul quickly sold out. With the current development momentum, the return with "Mamihlapinatapai" is expected to help ILLIT consolidate its position and continue to expand its influence in the global market.
