ILLIT Scraps “LILLY” Fandom Name After Backlash Over Similarities to Existing Fanbases
K-Pop group ILLIT’s debut is facing a minor bump in the road after their chosen fandom name sparked confusion and frustration among fans.
On April 21st, ILLIT, the highly anticipated new group from BELIFT LAB, announced their official fan club name: “LILLY.” The announcement, made during a live broadcast, was met with excitement by many fans. However, that excitement quickly turned to disappointment for some.
OUR FANDOM NAME IS ‘LILLY’ OMG 😭 pic.twitter.com/2ZYR3NdhI2
— rune 𓇢𓆸 (@willibeit) April 21, 2024
The name “LILLY” caused a stir for two key reasons. Firstly, the name is identical (written and pronounced the same way) to the name of NMIXX member Lily. This close similarity raised concerns about potential confusion and a lack of individuality for ILLIT’s fandom.
Secondly, fans of BLACKPINK member Lisa have unofficially called themselves “Lilies” for quite some time. This existing association with another popular artist added another layer of complication to ILLIT’s chosen name.
Swift Change of Course
Thankfully, BELIFT LAB listened to the concerns of fans. Less than a day after the initial announcement, the agency released a statement apologizing for any confusion and announcing that the “LILLY” name would be scrapped.
“We have decided to revisit the matter upon reviewing various concerns that have emerged,” BELIFT LAB stated in their official announcement.
The agency reassured fans that a new fandom name will be chosen from existing shortlisted options. They emphasized that there won’t be a public naming contest this time around.

Fan Reactions and What’s Next?
While some fans expressed disappointment about the name change, most seem understanding and supportive of BELIFT LAB’s decision. Many online comments praised the agency for their swift action and willingness to listen to fan feedback.
The new fandom name for ILLIT remains a mystery for now. Fans can expect an announcement from BELIFT LAB at a later date. In the meantime, excitement continues to build for ILLIT’s official debut, which is expected sometime soon.