ILLIT captures Sunday Morning magic with Japanese digital single

ILLIT released its Japan 2nd Digital Single Sunday Morning on January 13, 2026 at 12:00 a.m. JST with the confirmation of global digital release through BELIFT LAB under HYBE Labels. The group’s second original Japanese digital single also is a starting point for them to develop their long-term strategy in Japan which should be based on creative integration approach rather than simple localization.

It is officially Sunday Morning as a J-pop rock song, the stylistic direction which was confirmed in BELIFT LAB’s communications and in the Japanese media that covered the label relying on its statements. The song has an emotional quality of both uplifting and gently melancholic since it employs clean rhythms, light rock energy, and bright yet controlled melodies. Its main aim is to represent deep affection and the subtle sorrow of desiring to meet somebody on a Sunday morning at the moment where anticipation, warmth, and vulnerability are felt simultaneously. Instead of telling an ordinary love story this composition have also focused on emotional textures that could raise different feeling in you like excitement and tenderness towards soft nostalgia through its melody as well as structure.

One important feature of Sunday Morning is its cooperation with Mega Shinnosuke, a Japanese singer-songwriter aged 21, which was confirmed by BELIFT LAB officially. Famous for his viral hit Ai to U and having a strong position within Japan’s contemporary music scene, Mega Shinnosuke co-wrote and produced the track. His involvement is not by chance. Emotionally and musically positioning the single as an original work – BELIFT LAB achieved this goal by giving preference to Japanese creator rather than simply using existing Korean content.

The single also has a strong narrative and cultural dimension through its selection as an official opening theme for season two of the anime ’Tis Time for “Torture,” Princess’. This information was put forward by ILLIT’s agency in a statement that was among other professional entertainment outlets reported by Korea JoongAng Daily. As an anime opening, Sunday Morning is tailored to promptly introduce mood and emotional tone so that the song is connected to a broader visual narration and gets embedded into Japan’s pop culture even deeper.

Sunday Morning extends its storytelling visually by the use of cohesive imageries. The music video that officially was released alongside the single on ILLIT’s YouTube channel under BELIFT LAB tells the story around a “magical” restaurant that operates only on Sundays. In this space, after consuming foods prepared by the members guests are treated to fictitious elements which makes for a cinematic metaphor as to what love can do to turn the ordinary into something luminous. Prior to release there was an official teaser that introduced this equilibrium between every day realism and gentle fantasy, further supporting emotional themes of the song.

By concept photos that were released on January 5, 2026 this universe was expanded further. A retro café-like environment serves as the backdrop for these visuals and they combine classic styles with elegant uniforms, under soft morning light, and narrative hints that are congruent with the music video’s restaurant theme. Combining sound, imagery, and narrative framing together reveal to Sunday Morning not only a digital release but something much bigger.

Sunday Morning is their newest release after SUPER REAL ME in March 2024 and their increased impact on the Japanese market with Almond Chocolate or Toki Yo Tomare. It is a clear artistic statement that characterizes ILLIT’s further journey, its mission to become part of Japanese culture and a development of more refined way to convey universally appealing feelings through locally based creative style.