logo
K-pop rookie Lingling becomes first Malaysian female act to debut

K-pop rookie Lingling becomes first Malaysian female act to debut

The Sun02-06-2025
LINGLING becomes the first Malaysian female act to debut with six-member K-pop girl group Kiiras. Her debut comes with the release of the group's single Kill Ma Bo$$ last week.
The starlet has been gaining steady popularity among K-pop fans, especially Malaysians, after she finished second in the pre-voting for Mnet's I-land 2: Final Countdown, the show that formed Hybe's Enhypen in 2020, last year.
Language genius leader
A true polygot, Lingling has earned the title 'language genius' within the group and fandom (still awaiting its official name). Like many foreign members in the K-pop industry, she has been naturally thrusted into the spotlight as she navigates an often demanding and unforgiving industry.
The 20-year-old also carries the responsibility of being Kiiras's leader, a role that adds more weight to her journey. But she will not be walking alone, as by her side are her bandmates, Harin, Kurumi, Kylie, Doyeon and youngest member Roah – and together the group sets the stage to becoming a defining force in the 5th generation K-pop.
Gen Z rookies with powerful message
Dubbed the new Gen Z K-pop idols, Kiiras breathes fresh air into the industry with a new concept by stepping back a few years. Think Taylor Swift's Debut with cowboy hats and boots, but reimagined a Kiiras twist.
Embracing the 'Wild Wild West', Kiiras trades in Y2K, princess and girl crush concepts for a bold country-Western vibe.
It makes a bold entrance into the K-pop scene with its debut single Kill Ma Bo$$ – a country-inspired track, laced with R&B and hip-hop elements.
The track stands as a girl power anthem, effectively delivering the group's ambitious message to its listeners as it unapologetically challenges norms and sets new standards.
With a striking 'Old West' visual concept, Kiiras steps boldly into uncharted territory, poised to become a trailblazer for a new era in K-pop.
Kill Ma Bo$$ can be streamed on all music platforms.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Actress Bella Astillah had to present award to ex-husband's rumoured fling
Actress Bella Astillah had to present award to ex-husband's rumoured fling

The Star

time4 hours ago

  • The Star

Actress Bella Astillah had to present award to ex-husband's rumoured fling

Bella Astillah (right) presenting an award to Sophia Albarakbah at the Melodi Hottest Awards on Aug 3. Photo: TV3/YouTube There was an awkward moment at Malaysia's Melodi Hottest Awards 2025 on Aug 3. Malaysian singer-actress Bella Astillah was one of the presenters at the event broadcast live on TV3 from Putrajaya International Convention Centre. The 31-year-old was presenting the award for the winner of the Hottest Female Celebrity category with Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. Bella was visibly uncomfortable after she opened the envelope and saw the name of the winner. 'I know this one... I know her very well. Sophia,' she said, referring to Malaysian actress Sophia Albarakbah. Sophia, 32, went on stage after her name was announced. Bella swiftly passed her the trophy and a bouquet of flowers without making eye contact or acknowledging her. In early 2023, Bella accused Sophia of trying to wreck her marriage with her then husband, Malaysia-based Singaporean actor Aliff Aziz. Aliff and Sophia had both starred in the drama series Ku Akad Kau Dengan Bismillah (2023). Bella and Aliff, 34, first divorced in 2019, but reconciled in 2020. They divorced for the second time in June 2024 after Aliff was caught in khalwat (close proximity) with Malaysian actress Ruhainies, 33. Sophia was asked about the incident with Bella after the ceremony. "I'm OK because we're in the same industry. I never felt as if I was being mocked. Maybe that's just her way of presenting the award," she told entertainment portal Gempak. For the record, Bella and Syed Saddiq won in the Hottest Celebrity Couple Goals category, but she did not speak to the media. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network

Malaysia's 'it' couple, Bella Astillah and Syed Saddiq, are also the star-twosome after being awarded the 'hottest duo' title at Melodi Awards
Malaysia's 'it' couple, Bella Astillah and Syed Saddiq, are also the star-twosome after being awarded the 'hottest duo' title at Melodi Awards

The Star

time4 hours ago

  • The Star

Malaysia's 'it' couple, Bella Astillah and Syed Saddiq, are also the star-twosome after being awarded the 'hottest duo' title at Melodi Awards

It was certainly the most attention-grabbing moment at the Anugerah Melodi Terhangat 2025 (AMT2025), which was held in the city recently. It was even the moment, all the fans at the event were waiting for. Malaysia's hottest couple have just confirmed their relationship openly. The applause was thunderous when star stinger Bella Astillah and Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq were crowned the winners of the 'Hottest Celebrity Couple Goals' at the AMT 2025 event. Syed Saddiq, 32, and Bella, 31, sparked romance rumours earlier in 2025 after appearing together in a Hari Raya Aidilfitri campaign for a Malaysian fashion label. He was also photographed accompanying Bella at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in March as she prepared to perform the umrah minor pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Nicknamed the 'BASS couple' by the Malaysian celebrity fans and press, this was Bella and Syed Saddiq's first major public appearance in a celebrity event. This is also the hot couple's first win together as a couple, but also their first official appearance on television. From the moment they walked in together on the red carpet to appearing on stage as the award presenter, the BASS aura was felt throughout the event. It also looked like the couple were clearly announcing to all in the country on their relationship as the celebrity duo also arrived for the event with both their parents. When they were announced as winners at the show, the fans also went wild in support of the duo, and many well-wishers also congratulated them for winning the award. "Many, many thanks to Melodi and the TV3 station. I know many people must feel that there may be someone more deserving of winning the award, but I consider this a blessing and I am very grateful. Thank you to everyone who voted; without you, we would not be on this stage. I hope you take it well," said Bella while smiling at Syed Saddiq. The well-known and popular politician chuckled and said, "I am just a supporting actor beside Bella. But seriously, she's an exceptional lady. A superwoman and iron lady, and I am proud to be on the same stage with her." Social media also exploded when the couple was announced winners of the awards, as thousands of well-wishers hoped only for the best for the couple and many said they cannot wait for the big-day announcement. For the record, Bella is a well-known Malaysian singer, actress, and model. She has acted in numerous telemovies, variety shows and also many top TV drama series. Her song "Lukisan" released last year, was a big hit and was also selected as the original soundtrack for the drama series "Hai Cinta, Dengarkanlah". As for Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, he is a very popular Malaysian politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Muar since May 2018. He served as the Minister of Youth and Sports in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration under former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad from July 2018 to the collapse of the PH administration in February 2020, thus making him the youngest federal minister in Malaysian history. Syed Saddiq is a founding member of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) and served as its 1st President from September 2020 until November 2023. Many Malaysians view Syed Saddiq as a politician with a big future in Malaysian politics, and he is also very popular with the masses for his extremely liberal views on local society.

(Video) BOYNEXTDOOR Allegedly Faced Discrimination During Recent US Trip
(Video) BOYNEXTDOOR Allegedly Faced Discrimination During Recent US Trip

Hype Malaysia

time5 hours ago

  • Hype Malaysia

(Video) BOYNEXTDOOR Allegedly Faced Discrimination During Recent US Trip

It isn't uncommon for idols to face discrimination when performing or travelling in countries outside their own. For example, when the iconic K-pop group Stray Kids attended the Met Gala, some members of the press were openly rude and dismissive toward them. This kind of behaviour has been called out for years, and while progress has been made, incidents like this still happen. On 2nd August (Saturday), the rising group BOYNEXTDOOR (보이넥스트도어) shared details of an alleged case of mistreatment during their time in the U.S. The incident quickly sparked concern among fans and industry watchers. It has also reignited discussions about the ongoing discrimination that non-Western artists continue to experience, both subtle and direct, when navigating global platforms. Following their performance at Lollapalooza 2025 — one of the world's biggest music festivals — BOYNEXTDOOR went live from their hotel room to share an unsettling experience. Earlier that day, they had eaten at a restaurant where something felt off. The group explained that they were already seated in a booth when they tried to place their order. They called over a waiter, but he had told them to wait and walked away to serve another table instead. The same waiter eventually returned to pour their drinks, but when Riwoo (리우) told him they were ready to order, the waiter interrupted again, asked them to wait, and left. Member Leehan (이한) quickly called it out as discrimination. Afterwards, the group began discussing how restaurant roles can vary — with some staff responsible only for certain tasks — though the tone of the conversation suggested they questioned whether this was just a misunderstanding or something more deliberate. ONEDOORs (BOYNEXTDOOR fans) were quick to voice their frustration online. Many fans argued that once seated, it's standard courtesy to start taking orders and expressed concern that the group was being overlooked due to race or nationality. Others urged caution, noting that fans might lack full context — for example, certain restaurant staff aren't tasked with taking orders, and the waiter could have simply been busy. Even so, Leehan's strong reaction raised concerns. It suggested that this may not have been the group's first encounter with subtle racial profiling. Whether or not the restaurant intended to discriminate, the moment struck a chord with fans. It served as a reminder of the everyday challenges international artists still face when navigating unfamiliar spaces, even in casual, everyday settings. Here is the full live, or skip to 15:51 for the recollection of the alleged discrimination: Sources: Koreaboo, YouTube, Twitter Zaima Humaria contributed to this article

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store