ILLIT (YoonA, Minju, Mocha, Wonhee, Iroha) has set a new benchmark in K-pop history with their debut track, "Magnetic." According to their agency Belift Lab on September 19, the song has achieved a staggering 400,996,879 streams on Spotify as of September 17.

This impressive feat was accomplished just 176 days after its release on March 25, making it the fastest K-pop debut song to hit this streaming milestone on the platform.

With "Magnetic," ILLIT has swiftly made their mark both domestically and internationally, positioning themselves as a leading girl group of the fifth generation.

The track made history by being the first K-pop debut song to enter the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 (April 20) and the UK Official Singles Top 100 (April 5). It has sustained its impressive run on Billboard’s Global (Excl. U.S.) and Global 200 charts for 25 consecutive weeks and continues to perform strongly on major Korean music charts such as Genie, Melon, and Bugs.

The song's enduring popularity has earned it recognition as the most-streamed K-pop song abroad among those released in the first half of 2024.

Additionally, "Magnetic" was featured in TikTok’s "Songs of the Summer 2024," ranking as the 6th best summer song in Korea and the 5th in Japan.

“Magnetic” showcases the direct confidence of a teenage girl pursuing her crush, characterized by its unpredictable rhythms and ILLIT’s distinctive vocal style. The track’s playful and quirky performance further amplifies its charm and appeal.

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Lee Kyung Gyu's star-making influence goes beyond Kang Ho Dong, as Hong Jin Kyung shares how he helped her kickstart her career.

On the April 24 episode of KBS 2TV’s Problem Child in House, legendary comedian Lee Kyung Gyu appeared as a guest—and a touching story from the past was revealed.

Hong Jin Kyung surprised everyone when she said, “He’s the teacher for all of us. Personally, he’s the one who helped me debut.” She even pinned a carnation flower on his chest to show her gratitude.

Lee Kyung Gyu smiled and said, “I still remember when Hong Jin Kyung walked up the stairs onto the stage for the first time.”

Hong Jin Kyung then shared her journey to becoming a star. “I joined a supermodel contest, but only the top 3 winners were noticed in broadcasting. I got a special prize, so I had no chance to be on TV."

She continued, "At first, I was just a backup for a show. But somehow, I became a regular the next week. I never knew why."

She added, "I thought the PD gave me a shot. But then one day, I randomly met Kyung Gyu sunbae, and he told me it was actually him who recommended me.”

Kim Sook asked with a smile, “So Kyung Gyu sunbae said nice things about you to the PD?”

Lee Kyung Gyu playfully replied, “Don’t say it in such a childish way,” making everyone laugh.

He then explained more seriously, “The show was Scoop TV Entertainment, and I was pretty much the main MC. When Jin Kyung showed up, I saw her determination and passion."

He added, "While others didn’t seem serious, she really stood out. I told the PD, ‘She seems unique. Why not keep her on the show?’”

Kim Jong Kook chimed in, “So if the main MC said that, doesn’t that mean you basically got her in?”

That made Lee Kyung Gyu happy. He grinned and replied, “Exactly! You speak well. Be like him!”

He added, “After that, Jin Kyung’s career took off. She started doing shows with Lee Young Ja and just kept going.”

Fans are now calling Lee Kyung Gyu not only a top MC, but also a quiet star-maker behind the scenes!

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