ILLIT's fandom name has been officially announced by BELIFT LAB and HYBE. However, some K-pop stans drew mixed reactions towards the name for THIS reason.
Here's what people are saying.
ILLIT's Fandom Name Receives Backlash Due To Similarities With BLACKPINK Lisa's Solo Fanclub
ILLIT is currently trending across the K-pop scene with their music and chemistry, as their impact alone is enough to consider them as one of fifth-gen's monster rookies.
Their catchy title track "Magnetic" has pulled in new listeners of K-pop, while also having established a solid core fanbase for the group. With the quintet's global scale momentum, fans have received a special gift from the group.
On April 21, agency BELIFT LAB held a live broadcast on the fan platform Weverse. The stream showed the five ILLIT members Iroha, Yunah, Wonhee, Moka, and Minju, who playfully announced the official fanclub name by showing adorable cutouts.
According to their live, ILLIT revealed their fandom name will be "LILLY," and that the name would represent the constant love between them and their fans.
LILLYs, now branded with the new name, expressed their joy on social media platform X (Twitter). Many expressed how cute the fandom name was, while some voiced their anticipation of ILLIT's journey with LILLYs. Read their reactions below:
Most K-pop groups would be given a fandom name, but the same can't be said for individual members. This lack of designation can lead fans to come up with their own solo fandom name for their beloved idols.
Despite the joyful occasion, a debate brewed online, as some called out the fandom name for being similar to BLACKPINK Lisa's "Lillies." Although not officially given by the agency, the term Lillies has been used by majority of BLINKs through the years.
The term even surged in popularity and even Lisa herself acknowledged the precious fandom name's existence. HYBE was then criticized online, as fans claimed that the company had "stolen" the fandom name for ILLIT.
Some pointed out that Lisa is now focusing more on her solo endeavors, which will inevitably require more usage of the name "Lillies." Others criticized HYBE for not doing thorough research on the name's roots.
We will never let Hype take away our identity as a fandom. We won't let any Korean company EVER take anything away from Lisa again. That company thinks coming after a foreigner is save. The lowest of the lowest.
— LISA ❤️🔥#VMA + #EMA WINNER ❤️🔥 (@slays_world) April 21, 2024
Lisa is focusing more on her solo career now and even after bp disbands she needs a official fandom name and that's lilies like why qrts saying it's not official fandom name. This name has been used by only us for all these years and suddenly hybe stealing it😡fck off hybe https://t.co/eVpP6C0g4Z
I'm a BLINK. but I'm here for Lilies. hybe should stop with their obsession with Blackpink. Lillys and LILIES literally sound the same, we know what you're aiming here, Hybe 🤨
