Bomb Mini Album by ILLIT Review: What Most Fans Missed

ILLIT's "Bomb mini album" shattered records with an astonishing 326,117 copies sold on its first day of release. The K-pop sensation didn't stop there, achieving 401,674 copies in its first week, breaking the group's previous first-week sales record. However, despite this commercial success and its notable Billboard 200 debut at #171, many fans missed crucial details about this remarkable release.

Beyond impressive sales figures, this mini album represents a significant milestone in ILLIT's discography. From the French House influences in "Do the Dance" to the hidden symbolism throughout the tracks, the release delivers more than meets the eye. Furthermore, the visual concepts across different versions—Magic, Pink, and Star—contribute to a cohesive artistic vision that deserves closer examination. This review dives deep into what makes the "Bomb mini album" special and uncovers the elements most listeners overlooked.

ILLIT 3rd Mini Album 'Bomb': Release Date, Versions, and Concept

BELIFT LAB officially announced ILLIT's third mini album 'bomb' on May 19, 2025, scheduling its global release for June 16 at 6 PM KST. Pre-orders for the highly anticipated album began immediately upon announcement, with fans able to secure their copies starting from 11 AM KST on May 19. The promotion strategy followed a carefully planned timeline, beginning with tracklist reveals on May 22, followed by highlight medleys and title snippets the next day.

Release Date and Announcement Timeline

Initially, comeback rumors circulated in late April when Korean media outlet IZE reported ILLIT would return in mid-June, promptly confirmed by BELIFT LAB. The official announcement came on May 19, revealing not just the release date but also a comprehensive promotional schedule. Between June 8 and June 12, fans were treated to a series of concept photos for different album versions. Additionally, two teasers for the title track "Do the Dance" music video were strategically released on June 13 and 15, building anticipation just before the album drop.

Album Versions: Magic, Pink, Star, and More

'Bomb' comes in an impressive array of ten distinct versions:

Three main versions: Magic Bomb, Pink Bomb, and Star Bomb
Five individual GLLIT versions (one for each member)
Merch version
Weverse Albums (QR) version

Each physical album package includes a CD-R, an 80-page lenticular photobook, CD-R envelope, four stickers, a poster, and two photocards randomly selected from sets of five. The meticulous packaging particularly enhances the collector's appeal, with each version featuring unique visual themes.

Visual and Thematic Concept

'Bomb' continues ILLIT's narrative journey, exploring how the group expands their world through relationships with "you". Following their debut album 'SUPERREAL ME' about self-discovery and second album 'I'LL LIKE YOU' expressing budding affection, 'Bomb' marks a deeper exploration of connection and growth.

Each version showcases distinct visual concepts—the Magic Bomb version transforms members into magical girls with a mysterious unicorn-cat companion, representing "the inner magic inside every girl's heart". Meanwhile, the Star Bomb version draws inspiration from the album track "Night Picnic," capturing the members' free-spirited appearance against a dreamy black-and-white backdrop. The Pink Bomb version adds freshness with a charming yet wild appeal. In contrast, the GLLIT versions feature a previously unseen tomboy style, demonstrating the group's versatility.

Track-by-Track Breakdown: Genre, Lyrics, and Themes

Each track on ILLIT's 'bomb' mini album offers distinctive sounds and messages while maintaining the group's signature style.

Little Monster: Mental Health and Food Metaphor

The opening track combines a synth melody with smooth drum machine beats, setting a melancholic synthpop foundation. "Little Monster" metaphorically addresses mental health struggles through food imagery, with lyrics like "Stuff this huge awful stress into a giant bowl" and "The anxiety melts away as we gobble it down". Minju explained the concept: "The brand film reflects how we face the little monsters within us and soar above them". The track's glitchy hook becomes increasingly memorable with repeated listens, serving as both an earworm and emotional catharsis.

Do the Dance: French House Vibes and Anime Sample

"Do the Dance" stands out as the album's signature track, blending dreamy vibes with French house elements. Notably, the song samples "Yuga Naru Dasso" from the 1989 anime film 'The Five Star Stories,' enhancing its fantastical atmosphere. The choreography draws inspiration from playful cat movements, complementing lyrics about the nervous excitement of first love: "C'mon heart, cut it out / Tingle tangle, feel so shy". Though some critics noted repetitive elements, BELIFT LAB's production choices effectively reinforce the group's unique identity.

Jellyous: Jealousy and Mixed Emotions

This dance-pop track cleverly merges "jelly" and "jealous" in both title and concept. Moka described it as expressing "the sense of uncertainty, that tension mixed with anticipation, when you schedule a meet-up with someone you're into". The song uses jelly as a metaphor for confusing, mixed emotions—especially jealousy regarding "the heart of the unconfirmable 'you'". Its brisk, catchy beat and childishly envious delivery ("Hey, hey, hey, boy, you make me jellyous") create an instantly memorable listening experience.

Oops!: Friendship and Comfort

"Oops!" delivers an upbeat groove with funky bassline and whistled post-chorus elements. The track adopts a light, funky approach to the sing-talk style that has become increasingly common in K-pop. While some reviewers found it "dull" and "derivative", others praised its "insistent rhythm" that keeps the track "aloft" despite simple, repetitive melodies. The song celebrates carefree friendship with lyrics encouraging listeners to "just keep it cool" and "let it loose".

Bamsopoong: Night Picnic Nostalgia

The album closes with "밤소풍" (Night Picnic), a cozy lo-fi track that runs just 2:19. Iroha explained the concept: "It conveys a gentle, dreamy feel, like you're sharing a special moment at a private spot under the starlight". The song explores finding comfort with a soulmate when worries keep you awake, suggesting a nighttime picnic as the remedy. Its relaxing vibe and sweet vocals provide a fitting conclusion to the album's emotional journey.

Commercial Performance and Chart Success

The stunning chart performance of ILLIT's 'bomb' mini album illustrates the group's rapidly growing popularity since their debut. With each release, the rookie powerhouse continues to set new records both domestically and internationally.

First-Day and First-Week Sales Numbers

'Bomb' made an immediate impact upon its June 16 release, achieving an impressive 326,117 copies sold on its first day according to Hanteo Chart. This remarkable figure outperformed their previous album 'I'LL LIKE YOU,' which had sold approximately 298,000 copies on its first day. Subsequently, the momentum continued throughout the week, with 'bomb' reaching a total of 401,674 copies during its first week of release (June 16-22). This achievement was significant enough to top Hanteo's weekly album chart.

Billboard 200 Debut and Global Reach

Beyond domestic success, 'bomb' made considerable international impact by debuting at #171 on the prestigious Billboard 200 chart. This marked ILLIT's third consecutive album to enter this important ranking, following both 'SUPER REAL ME' and 'I'LL LIKE YOU'. Moreover, the mini album secured impressive positions on several other Billboard charts, including #2 on World Albums, #8 on Top Current Album Sales, and #10 on Top Album Sales.

The title track "Do the Dance" likewise performed well globally, ranking #98 on Billboard's Global Excl. U.S. chart and #181 on the Global 200 in its second consecutive week on both charts. Consequently, ILLIT topped Billboard's Emerging Artists chart, which recognizes rising global talent.

Comparison to Previous Albums

'Bomb' surpassed the commercial performance of ILLIT's previous releases, cementing their upward trajectory. The 401,674 first-week copies exceeded their previous record of 382,621 set by 'I'LL LIKE YOU'. Regardless of the competitive K-pop market, the mini album showed remarkable staying power, with "Do the Dance" climbing Melon's domestic charts weeks after release—entering at #76 on June 16 and rising to #23 by July 9.

This consistent commercial growth demonstrates ILLIT's solidifying position in the industry, with each release outperforming the last in both sales figures and chart positions across multiple markets.

What Most Fans Missed in 'Do the Dance' MV and Lyrics

Beyond the catchy melodies and impressive choreography, "Do the Dance" from ILLIT's bomb mini album contains several hidden gems that many listeners overlooked. These subtle details enrich the song's meaning and showcase BELIFT LAB's attention to artistic detail.

Anime Sample Origin: 'The Five Star Stories'

"Do the Dance" incorporates a distinctive classical string theme that gives the track its dreamy atmosphere. This elegant sample comes from "Yūganaru dassō," a soundtrack piece from the 1989 Japanese anime film "The Five Star Stories". The sample creates a romantic, dream-like foundation beneath the song's French house beats, connecting K-pop to classic anime culture in an unexpected yet harmonious way.

Cat-Like Vocal Tones and 'Kungsilnyaong'

Throughout the track, members employ cat-like vocal inflections that might seem like stylistic choices but actually reinforce the song's deeper meaning. Minju highlighted this aspect: "The lyrics are a key highlight of the song as well. You'll hear French phrases that sound almost like magical spells". These whimsical, spell-like vocal elements enhance ILLIT's unique charm while subtly referencing the feline theme.

Proverb Reference: 'Like a Borrowed Cat'

The Korean title "빌려온 고양이" (Borrowed Cat) derives from a traditional proverb describing someone who feels awkward or out of place. As Belift Lab explained, "'Borrowed Cat' refers to unfamiliar and tense situations". This perfectly captures the song's narrative about feeling shy and clumsy during a first date. The English subtitle "Do the Dance" serves as a counterpoint, encouraging boldness despite feeling like "a borrowed cat".

Symbolism in the Music Video

Attentive viewers noticed cat motifs throughout the music video, from choreography to costumes. Each visual element reinforces the song's message about overcoming awkwardness. As Moka explained, "Even though you're nervous and feel like a borrowed cat, you don't want things to end awkwardly, so you boldly do the dance to show your interest". This tension between hesitation and confidence defines both the visual storytelling and thematic heart of ILLIT's hit single.