FIRST READ · MON 7 AM ETTHE WEEKEND LEXICON · SAT 9 AM ETMinju
- Stage name
- Minju
- Born
- May 11, 2004
- Agency
- BELIFT LAB
- Fandom
- GLLIT
- Debut
- 2024
- Generation
- 5th gen
Minju is a member of the five-piece group ILLIT, which came out of the survival show R U Next? run partly by BELIFT LAB. The group is known for the debut song "Magnetic," which reached the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and for a run of catchy, genre-hopping releases. In 2026 Minju has been a spokesperson for the group during the "It's Me" era and the "Break Even" comeback, which the group promoted as a four-member lineup while Moka rested. She has described ILLIT's musical strength as its addictiveness and has spoken about the pressure and motivation that followed the success of "It's Me."
Birth details: beliftlab.com
In their own words
“We worked hard to repay the love we received and practiced diligently to show growth.”
“Although we are four, we will fill the stage with Moka's heart as well.”
“I think you will naturally hum along.”
Timeline
- 2024Debut with "Magnetic"
- 2025"NOT CUTE ANYMORE" single album
The single album arrived on November 24, 2025, with a title track made by a global team of writers and producers.
- 2026First concerts and "MAMIHLAPINATAPAI"
The group held its first concerts since debut and released the fourth mini-album in April, with the lead single "It's Me."
- 2026Japan second single "I Got Your Back"
Released July 29, 2026, including the track "Sunday Morning," which was used as an anime opening theme after its January 2026 digital release.
- 2026"Break Even" fifth mini-album
Released in late October 2026 as the group's first four-member comeback, with over 500,000 Spotify pre-saves.
- 2026"Do the Dance" passes 200 million Spotify streams
Reported in November 2026 as the group's sixth song to reach that mark.
Latest
- "Break Even" fifth mini-album promotions as a four-member lineup
Minju spoke at the Seoul showcase for the mini-album, whose title track is "I'm Going to Arrest You" (rendered "I'll arrest you" on another page). The group promoted without Moka, who has been on a health-related break since June. A later report says the album ranked 6th on the US Billboard 200.
starnewskorea.com - Japan second single "I Got Your Back"
The group's second Japanese single was released with a solo jacket edition for Minju among the member versions.
cdjapan.co.jp - "MAMIHLAPINATAPAI" fourth mini-album and "It's Me"
Minju joined an interview about the release, calling the lead single upbeat and unlike anything the group had tried, and mentioning the Paris costumes worn for the promotion.
teenvogue.com
Our coverage
ILLIT Lands First Billboard 200 Top 10 as 'BREAK EVEN' Debuts at No. 6
The EP also opens at No. 1 on Top Album Sales with 32,500 copies sold, ILLIT's biggest U.S. sales week yet.
ILLIT's 'BREAK EVEN' Posts a Career-Best 444,072 First Week
Hanteo Chart counted 444,072 copies from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1, topping the 411,654 that "MAMIHLAPINATAPAI" opened with earlier this year.
A2O LITE's 'NEON' Completes Inkigayo Triple Crown With 11th Music Show Win
The debut single took first place with 6,037 points on the November 8 episode, beating IVE and ILLIT, on a bill that also included BLACKPINK's Jisoo.
A2O LITE's 'NEON' Claims 10th Music Show Win as IVE and ILLIT Give Chase
A2O LITE beat IVE and ILLIT for the trophy with 6,593 points, while RESCENE held No. 1 in November's girl group brand reputation rankings.
ILLIT Take Music Bank Trophy as 'You're Under Arrest' Scores 9,803 Points
The first trophy for the single came over IVE's "Looks Can Kill," with TWS, RIIZE, P1Harmony and NCT's Xiaojun also on the November 6 bill.
AND2BLE Score 2nd 'French Kissing' Trophy on 'Show Champion'
The group took the November 4 trophy over IVE, ILLIT, XLOV and A2O LITE, then performed both "Potion" and "French Kissing" on the broadcast.
Min Hee-jin Says Referral Is No Ruling as Illit Plagiarism Case Reaches Prosecutors
Police sent the defamation and obstruction case to prosecutors on Oct. 1, and Min, calling that no ruling, says Belift Lab is stalling a civil suit set for a Nov. 13 decision.
Gen, Explained: How K-Pop Sorts Its Idols Into Five Generations
From Seo Taiji and Boys in 1992 to RIIZE and ILLIT, the fan-made label that files K-pop into eras, and why the 5th gen line is still contested.
ILLIT Confronts 'You're Under Arrest' Costume Criticism at 'BREAK EVEN' Showcase
The group's 5th mini-album launch in Seoul followed criticism of police-uniform outfits paired with miniskirts and knee socks.
Stray Kids' 'THIS & THAT' Logs an Eighth Week at No. 1 on Billboard World Albums
ENHYPEN, CORTIS and BOYNEXTDOOR round out the top four, as ATEEZ and ENHYPEN line up November releases with ET drop times.
Jennie and Tame Impala's 'Dracula' Climbs Back to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100
The collaboration gained one spot to match its best showing, as Katseye climbed and Stray Kids led K-pop albums on the Billboard 200.
ILLIT Sets a Spotify Speed Record With 'Magnetic' Days Before 'BREAK EVEN' Lands
The 2024 debut single passed 900 million plays in about two years and seven months, Belift Lab says, as the group readies its fifth mini album.
- billboard.com: ILLIT Talks 'NOT CUTE ANYMORE' Single Album
- starnewskorea.com: Bang Si-hyeok's production and Song Kang's support ...
- teenvogue.com: ILLIT Face Uncertainty and Memory Head-On In New Mini ...
- cdjapan.co.jp: ILLIT to Release Japan 2nd Single "I Got Your Back" on ...
- biz.chosun.com: ILLIT aims to arrest Korea's hearts with new album break ...
- wowkorea.live: ILLIT's ”Do the Dance” surpasses 200 million streams on ...
Last researched Nov. 11, 2026