ILLIT released Cherish, the title track of their second mini-album, but it has only reached 82nd place on the Melon TOP100 by October 24. Fans discuss the trickle-down effect from BTS, with many noting that while it helps promotion, the song’s alignment with ILLIT’s image is crucial for success. Some believe Cherish could improve its performance after music show appearances and increased exposure on social media.
ILLIT and the Initial Performance of Cherish on the Charts
On October 21, ILLIT (Minju, Yoona, Moka, Wonhee, Iroha) held a showcase at YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, Seoul, to celebrate the release of their second mini-album, I’LL LIKE YOU. The title track, Cherish, was highly anticipated but has not performed well in the three days since its release. As of October 24, Cherish is ranked 82nd on the Melon Chart TOP100, which is a lower-than-expected result. Fans had higher expectations, especially considering the promotional efforts leading up to the release.
Trickle-Down Effect and Cherish’s Performance for ILLIT
In various online communities, particularly the male-dominated MLBPARK, there has been significant discussion about the trickle-down effect related to ILLIT’s performance. ILLIT is part of HYBE, the same company that manages BTS, and some fans assumed that BTS’s immense popularity would benefit ILLIT as a “sibling” group. However, Cherish’s lackluster performance suggests otherwise. MLBPARK users argue that while the trickle-down effect can assist with the initial promotion of a group, it doesn’t guarantee sustained success. Ultimately, if a song isn’t of high quality, the effect is minimal or non-existent.
Challenges in Aligning ILLIT’s Image with Cherish
Fans and critics alike have pointed out that Cherish doesn’t fully align with ILLIT’s usual youthful and refreshing image. While the song itself is not considered poorly made, there is a consensus that it feels out of sync with the group’s overall vibe. Additionally, ILLIT lost a critical opportunity to grow their fanbase during a pivotal time. This was partly due to their involvement in the ongoing conflict between Min Heejin and HYBE, which cast them in an unfavorable light. The controversy has caused some fans to distance themselves from the group, limiting its growth potential.
Reactions from Female Fans to ILLIT and Cherish
On the female-oriented community, theqoo, there is a different take on ILLIT’s struggles. The site has been critical of ILLIT, particularly in light of the allegations that the group copied aspects of NewJeans, a group closely associated with Min Heejin. Since theqoo largely supports Min Heejin, this has damaged ILLIT’s reputation within that community. Many users believe that ILLIT has lost favor among female fans, which has impacted the album’s sales performance, including the success of Cherish.
Future Prospects for ILLIT and Cherish After More Exposure
Despite the challenges, some fans still express enthusiasm for Cherish. The opinion that Cherish doesn’t match ILLIT’s image doesn’t seem to resonate with many female listeners. Furthermore, as ILLIT has yet to perform Cherish on music shows, many believe there is still potential for the song to improve its standing. Once the group begins appearing on music shows and other broadcast platforms, and once performance videos and fan cams circulate on social media, Cherish may experience a rebound. As it has only been three days since its release, many feel it is too early to judge the song’s ultimate performance. There is still time for Cherish to succeed through more exposure and promotion.
Here’s a link to theqoo. Here’s a link to MLBPARK.
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ARMY here to suport our Hybe princess girls.Congratulations for unique comeback.