November 1, 2026 | K-POP News | Global Interviews
ILLIT have spent much of their career singing about the thrill of falling in love. Their latest album asks what happens when that feeling stops being fun. In an NME interview published on October 28, the group explain why their fifth EP, BREAK EVEN, follows a character who decides to walk away from a one-sided romance.
Speaking with NME’s Mika Chen over video from Seoul, YUNAH, MINJU, WONHEE and IROHA discuss a comeback that asks more of them than learning new choreography. They talk about expressing anger on stage, the nerves that come with trying something unfamiliar, and the fans who have helped them find their confidence.
The twist behind BREAK EVEN
From the dizzy excitement of “Magnetic” to the affection of “Cherish (My Love),” ILLIT’s songs have often followed someone who is falling hard for another person. In the interview, MINJU points out that the thread connecting their albums is the character’s own feelings. That leaves room for the story to change when those feelings do.
Released on October 26, BREAK EVEN takes its name from the point at which costs and returns balance. In this story, the calculation is emotional. After putting more into a relationship than she gets back, the character decides she has had enough.
Even IROHA was surprised by that turn. She had expected the character to stay in love, so the decision to break things off caught her off guard. For the members, it also opened up a side of the story they hadn’t performed before: irritation, frustration and the relief of finally saying no.
Four songs, one change of heart
The four songs follow that change of heart. On “Super In Love,” a friend offers a reality check; the fast-moving “More” finds the character looking at the relationship more clearly. She draws the line on “You’re Under Arrest”, then finds the possibility of a new crush in “Pop.” The record moves through several feelings rather than staying angry from beginning to end.
What’s striking is how much of ILLIT’s playful sound survives the change in mood. The songs still bounce and sparkle, even as the person singing them becomes less willing to put up with mixed signals. It’s a shift in perspective rather than a complete reinvention.
Learning to look angry on stage
The new emotion had to come through on stage, too. WONHEE tells NME that ILLIT were used to expressions that were cute, affectionate or cool. This time, they had to look genuinely annoyed. MINJU says learning to show that side of themselves felt fresh.
They tried it in front of an audience at the Inspire Arena encore concerts in Incheon, where they performed “You’re Under Arrest” before the album’s release. MINJU admits she was nervous about whether she could pull off the expressions they’d rehearsed. What she remembers most now is the cheering. For a group testing out a new side of its stage presence, that response was an encouraging start.
What the members say about MOKA and GLLIT
MOKA did not take part in the NME interview. She has been away from group activities while focusing on her health. IROHA nevertheless emphasizes the support MOKA has continued to give the other members, including attending their shows. The group remains a five-member act even while four members carry out current promotions.
The interview turns especially candid when the members talk about GLLIT. YUNAH says the fans helped them keep going through difficult times. WONHEE remembers the work and tears behind the group’s progress, while MINJU talks about feeling more at home on stage than she did at debut. None of them suggests that the hard parts have vanished; they sound more confident about facing them.
That emphasis on honesty is familiar to anyone who has followed ILLIT since “Magnetic.” The subject has changed, but the members still want listeners to recognize something of their own lives in the songs.
Watch the official ‘You’re Under Arrest’ music video
The title track’s official music video was released on October 26 through HYBE LABELS. It shows the sharper performance style discussed in the interview. This is the song’s official music video, not a recording of NME’s interview.
Official music video: HYBE LABELS · October 26, 2026. If the player is unavailable, watch it on YouTube.
Why the interview matters
BREAK EVEN doesn’t throw away the qualities that made ILLIT’s debut memorable. The melodies are still lively and the storytelling still centers on love. What’s different is the answer their protagonist gives when a relationship stops feeling right. In NME’s interview, the members make clear that bringing that change to life took work, especially in their facial expressions and live performances.
The group may return to sweeter emotions on a future release, or find somewhere else to take the story. For now, the most interesting part of this comeback is hearing ILLIT say that walking away can be a love story, too.
Interview and album information
| Interview | NME, by Mika Chen |
|---|---|
| Published | October 28, 2026 |
| Participating members | YUNAH, MINJU, WONHEE, IROHA |
| EP | BREAK EVEN · fifth mini album |
| Release date | October 26, 2026 |
| Tracks | Super In Love / More / You’re Under Arrest / Pop |
Sources
NME — Mika Chen, October 28, 2026, original ILLIT interview; The Korea Times — October 26, 2026 album showcase and concept details.
Related KWaveScope coverage: ILLIT A–Z artist profile · ILLIT debut the new track in Incheon · WONHEE joins IU for a dance challenge.