해파리 (hae-pa-ri) literally translates to "jellyfish". It's a very unique and memorable word to find in a K-Pop song, which makes it stand out instantly!
In "NOT CUTE ANYMORE," ILLIT sings, "강아지보단 난 느슨한 해파리가 좋아" (I like loose jellyfish more than puppies). This clever line expresses the song's main theme of rejecting conventional cuteness (a puppy) for something more unique and free-spirited (a jellyfish). It's a fun, quirky declaration of individuality.
NOT CUTE ANYMORE is ILLIT’s playful break-up letter to the sugary, bow-tied image people expect from a K-pop girl. She lists her quirks like trophies: a brave bag with no dangling keyring, rock lullabies, limited-edition soybean noodles that taste richer than matcha, five-minute makeup, horror movies for stress relief, and a soft spot for jellyfish over puppies. Every offbeat preference shouts, “See? I’m more than cute!” while the refrain hammers it home: I’m not cute anymore.
Beneath the cheeky inventory lies a bigger message about self-definition. ILLIT isn’t tossing out femininity; she’s refusing to squeeze into its narrowest version. By embracing suede-covered vinyl and skipping cherry coke, she models how to own contradictions and grow past labels. The song becomes a breezy, guitar-tinged anthem inviting listeners to shed expectations, flaunt their oddities, and rock a flavor that’s matcha-bold and completely their own.