When avant-garde shapeshifter Sophie Powers and rising K-pop phenoms ILLIT first crossed creative paths, it wasn’t in a studio—it was through screens, through challenges, through the kind of mutual admiration that only happens when artists recognize something raw and real in each other’s work. Now, that digital camaraderie has exploded into a full-fledged collaboration: a fiery reimagining of ILLIT’s viral hit “jellyous”, out now on all platforms. The result? A track that crackles with the kinetic rush of K-pop hooks and the unfiltered, razor-sharp edge of Sophie’s alt-pop rebellion—a fusion that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.
Originally featured on ILLIT’s mini-album bomb (June 2024), “jellyous” quickly became a TikTok and Instagram sensation, its heartbeat rhythm and sticky-sweet chorus spawning millions of streams and endless dance challenges. But this isn’t just a remix—it’s a reinvention. Sophie’s vocals slice through the track’s candy-coated production with her signature blend of playful defiance and emotional grit, turning up the heat on every verse while keeping the song’s addictive core intact. It’s the kind of collaboration that feels less like a feature and more like a long-lost duet between kindred spirits.
The synergy between Sophie and ILLIT didn’t come out of nowhere. Sophie first publicly stanned for the group by posting a fan dance challenge to their track “Tick-Tack”, later joining their web series to cover “Magnetic”. In return, ILLIT hyped Sophie’s recent single “move with me” with their own viral choreography. This back-and-forth—part mutual fandom, part creative exchange—laid the groundwork for a collab that feels as organic as it is electrifying.
“I’m so excited to share my collaboration with ILLIT,” Sophie says. “I watched the show they came from on Netflix and have loved seeing their journey from the very beginning. The girls are so talented and inspiring, and it’s crazy to think I’m the same age as Yunah, Minju, and Moka. This song is so special to me, and I hope it reminds people to chase their dreams the way ILLIT has.”
For Sophie, this release marks another step in her relentless evolution. The Toronto-born, LA-based artist has spent the past year shedding the neon-bubblegum aesthetic of her early work, diving headfirst into a darker, rawer sound—one that embraces chaos instead of sanitizing it. Tracks like “move with me” and “head empty no thoughts” are proof of that shift, channeling nihilistic energy and brutal honesty with a ferocity that’s earned her praise from PAPER, The FADER, Billboard, and Stereogum. Meanwhile, her high-octane live shows—including recent sets at Slam Dunk Festival and Vans Warped Tour—have cemented her reputation as a performer who leaves everything onstage.
As for ILLIT, this collab is another flex in their meteoric rise, proving their ability to transcend genres and borders while staying true to their explosive, dance-floor-ready roots. Together, Sophie and ILLIT aren’t just making music—they’re rewriting the rules of pop, one chaotic, euphoric track at a time.
“jellyous (ft. Sophie Powers)” is available now—turn it up, and let it consume you.
Listen here: https://illit.lnk.to/bomb
Photo Credit: Hannah de Vries
Hye Rin Choi is a writer and entrepreneur from Seoul, South Korea. She breathes Korean culture and history. She’s passionate and committed to helping people learn more about her fascinating country.