Group ILLIT wears memorial ribbons at Japan's 'Red-White-Red Battle'

Group ILLIT wore a memorial ribbon on NHK's year-end music program, "Kōhaku Uta Gassen," which drew attention to the group's appearance.

ILLIT performed their debut song "Magnetic" on the program, which aired on Dec. 31 last year. The show is a traditional Japanese year-end music program that airs on December 31 every year.

The performance came as South Korea's entertainment and broadcasting industries came to a virtual standstill following the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster. Even in the aftermath of the tragedy, ILLIT went ahead with her scheduled performance to pay her respects.

"We would like to express our deepest condolences to the victims of the airliner tragedy," ILLIT's agency, BELIFT LAB, said on its official website. "We will perform at the upcoming 'Japan Record Grand Prix' and 'Red and White Gathering' with our hearts in mourning."

On Dec. 29 last year, Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 from Bangkok, Thailand, exploded after hitting the outer wall of the runway during landing at Muan Airport in South Jeolla Province. The crash killed 179 of the 181 people on board, including two crew members, and the government declared Jan. 4 as a period of national mourning.

ILLIT's performance was dedicated to mourning the tragedy, and their appearance resonated deeply with fans in both South Korea and Japan.