Bite Review: Illit’s “Jellyous” is a Burst of Video Game-Inspired Fun

At their best, Illit are one of the most playful and surprisingly witty currently active K-pop groups…and they are at their best in the MV for standout Bomb b-side “Jellyous.”

At pretty much three-minutes flat, “Jellyous” is an unapologetically bubblegum and cutesy ode to—you guessed it—being a bit jealous. It’s a solid pop track that explodes into excellence during its stellar post-chorus (which also features some adorable yet jaw-droppingly speedy choreography). Still, given the gimmicky title, the song risks crossing the line from charmingly cheerful to cheesy. Fortunately, Illit bring a refreshingly un-serious energy to the song’s MV that places it firmly in the former category.

“Jellyous” is an ode to a number of instantly recognizable, but somewhat nostalgic, video games. There are dance sequences that cleverly allude to the aesthetics of Just Dance, a cute interlude that sees the members playing a haunted horror video game, and in the most enduring reference, several sequences that see the members popping in and out of a handheld gaming console.

The commitment to the concept is so earnest that when the MV ended with a vague advertisement, I assumed that it was for a sponsoring video game. Aaccording to internet murmurs, it is indeed for an upcoming lore-heavy content series of some kind). It’s also a stroke of genius. Without having to stretch too far creatively, the video game references provide constant visual interest throughout the MV. The ‘game’ connection also matches the earnest but light-hearted content of the song itself:

After all-night DMs at last you say
What gets me wide awake, “What’s up on a Sunday?”
Sweet heart shape, curious flavor
The moment it got pulled, that pink lever
Delusional happiness, jelly shower

One small aesthetic misstep in the MV is the styling. The ideas are there, such as frequently dressing the members in outfits straight out of an RPG. However, the execution leaves something to be desired. Cheap-looking fabrics and overall inconsistent quality undercut the potentially excellent effect.

Taken as a whole though, “Jellyous” remains an upbeat delight. There’s even a hilariously (and perhaps unintentionally) off-kilter Red Velvet-esque sequence where Iroha lures a crush home in a red wagon by using heart-shaped candies. “Let tomorrow’s me handle tomorrow/Worries back off” Illit sing in the aforementioned standout post-chorus…and “Jellyous” is the kind of buoyant song to throw on for a burst of in-the-moment joy in just that spirit.

(Twitter/X, YouTube. Lyrics via YouTube. Images via HYBE.)