ILLIT 'Not Me': The Hidden Meaning You Missed

The "Not Me" lyrics captivate listeners with their catchy rhythm, yet many fans miss the profound message hidden behind the infectious beat. Released on November 24, 2025 by BELIFT LAB, this track showcases the unique artistry that has made the group a standout in the competitive music scene.

ILLIT 'NOT ME' took the music world by storm when its official music video dropped on February 6, 2026, under HYBE LABELS. Behind the polished production, executive produced by Kim Taeho and creatively directed by Heu Serian, lies a song rich with themes of self-discovery and defiance. Additionally, the music video, directed by Yunah Sheep, adds another layer of meaning through its visual storytelling.

Despite its recent release, fans have already begun dissecting every verse, searching for deeper significance.

The story behind ILLIT and 'Not Me'

ILLIT emerged on the K-pop scene as a five-member multinational girl group formed through JTBC's survival competition show R U Next?. The quintet consists of Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha, representing both South Korea and Japan. Initially planned as a six-member group, Youngseo departed before their official debut.

Who is ILLIT?

ILLIT (stylized in all caps and sometimes as :ll:+) made their debut on March 25, 2024, with their first mini-album Super Real Me. The name ILLIT stems from the phrase "I Will Be It," combining an autonomous, proactive will ("I will") with the pronoun "it" signifying something special. Under BELIFT LAB, a sub-label of HYBE, the group quickly established themselves with impressive achievements, including breaking records for the highest first-week sales of a girl group's debut album with 380,056 copies. Furthermore, their title track "Magnetic" made them the first K-pop group to enter the Billboard Hot 100 with a debut song.

When was 'Not Me' released?

"Not Me" was released on November 24, 2025, as a B-side track on ILLIT's first single album Not Cute Anymore. Belift Lab announced the upcoming release through a promotional calendar on October 27, 2025, subsequently revealing the tracklist on November 3. This marked an important milestone as their first single album following their earlier extended plays.

The song's place in their discography

By the time "Not Me" was released, ILLIT had already built an impressive catalog. Prior to this single album, the group had released three extended plays, several singles, and even made their Japanese debut with "Toki Yo Tomare" on September 1, 2025. Within their discography, Not Cute Anymore represented a significant evolution in the group's sound and concept. The single album performed exceptionally well, selling 347,681 copies in Korea and earning a Platinum certification from the Korean Music Contents Association. Essentially, "Not Me" arrived at a pivotal moment in ILLIT's career, showcasing their artistic growth following their monster rookie year.

Breaking down the lyrics: line by line

The phrase "That's not my, not my, not my name" opens the song, immediately establishing a rebellious stance against imposed identities. This opening sets a defiant tone that carries throughout the track.

Opening lines and their tone

Wonhee begins with "Jokes here and there, laughing online / Breaking expectations, sorry I'm a surprise," highlighting the tension between public perceptions and personal identity. Yunah follows with "Me and my girls, give it a name / It's like they know me better than myself," expressing frustration at external labeling.

Recurring phrases and what they suggest

"That's not my name" appears repeatedly as the song's powerful hook, symbolizing the members' refusal to be confined by society's expectations. This phrase becomes a mantra of self-assertion against the endless "labelling, labelling" mentioned in the lyrics.

The emotional shift in the chorus

The chorus dramatically lists various names imposed on the members: "'LIT', 'IL-LIT', 'Nyang', 'Poyoong', 'Baby', 'Jelly'". As noted in one analysis, "The members list every identity projected onto them... only to reject each one".

Bridge and climax: a turning point

The bridge acknowledges nuance: "They're not all wrong / Sometimes they're right / Just don't put me in a box". Consequently, the members recognize that while some perceptions may be accurate, they shouldn't be limiting.

Final lines and their closure

The song concludes by reiterating "That's not my name," reinforcing their message of self-definition. Through these final lines, ILLIT asserts that they are "more than what they see".

Themes hidden in plain sight

Beyond its catchy melody, "Not Me" harbors profound messages about identity and authenticity. The song serves as ILLIT's bold declaration against being boxed into a single concept or perception.

Self-identity and defiance

The lyrics powerfully assert, "I can be anything I want" and "we're more than what they see", directly challenging those who label ILLIT as merely a "cute" group. Through the repetitive hook "That's not my name," the members reject external definitions of who they are. This defiant stance creates a manifesto for self-determination, encouraging listeners to similarly embrace their multifaceted identities.

Breaking away from expectations

"NOT ME" symbolizes ILLIT's refusal to be confined by their initial image. The striking line "I prefer a loose, drifting jellyfish over a puppy" beautifully captures this sentiment—rejecting the stereotypical "puppy" persona (eager-to-please, cute, energetic) in favor of something fluid and ungraspable. As noted in their album packaging, the members express: "People call me cute before they even know me... But I have so many unexpected sides".

The contrast between appearance and reality

Ironically, even as they declare "NOT CUTE ANYMORE," this statement itself appears endearing. This paradox illustrates the gap between public perception and personal reality. Moreover, the song features a comprehensive list of nicknames used for the members—"LIT," "IL-LIT," "nyang," "Princess," "Bad"—specifically to reject them, highlighting how external labels fail to capture their authentic selves.

How 'Not Me' reflects ILLIT’s message

With "Not Me," ILLIT crystallizes their artistic philosophy beyond just a single song, creating a statement piece that resonates throughout their entire body of work.

Connection to previous songs

"Not Me" builds upon themes first established in their debut EP "Super Real Me," particularly expanding on the idea of authentic self-expression. Indeed, this track serves as a natural evolution from "Magnetic" and "My World," which initially explored the group's identity. Yet "Not Me" takes a more assertive stance, directly challenging the perceptions established in their earlier work.

Visual storytelling in the MV

The music video masterfully reinforces the lyrical message through visual contrast. Throughout the MV, the members alternate between conventionally "cute" outfits and more powerful, edgy styling. In particular, scenes showing members breaking free from glass boxes symbolize their rejection of limiting labels. This visual metaphor echoes the song's core message about defying expectations.

Fan interpretations and reactions

Online communities have embraced "Not Me" as ILLIT's independence anthem. According to social media analyses, fans particularly appreciate how the song addresses the group being prematurely boxed into a "cute concept." Nevertheless, some longtime supporters express surprise at this bold direction, though most recognize it as a necessary artistic evolution.

The group's evolving image

"Not Me" represents a crucial turning point in ILLIT's career trajectory. Although they initially gained recognition for their bright, youthful concept, this release signals their desire for artistic growth. Currently, the members appear determined to showcase their versatility as they continue to mature as artists, all while maintaining the distinctive charm that first endeared them to fans.