Illit has earned the Excellent Work Award from the Japan Record Awards for its first Japanese-language single “Almond Chocolate.” 

The honor recognizes the year’s top 10 songs, all of which become contenders for the grand prize on Dec. 30. Illit is the only non-Japanese group among the ten. Although the group has not officially debuted in Japan, it won the rookie artist award last year following the breakout success of “Magnetic.” 

The group will release its first single album, “Not Cute Anymore,” on Monday.