Girl group ILLIT is set to release its first Japanese song, “Almond Chocolate,” on Feb. 14. It will also be the group’s debut movie soundtrack, its agency, Belift Lab, said Friday.

Hugh McIntyre covers music, with a focus on the global charts. Illit officially launched their music career last month when the South Korean girl group dropped their debut EP Super Real Me.

From RM’s introspective solo work to Rosé’s global-pop collaboration, plus ILLIT’s dazzling debut and aespa’s cosmic anthem, this year’s most acclaimed releases reflected the genre’s ...