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#SHOWBIZ: Malaysian K-pop star Lingling of KIIRAS returns home for debut showcase

#SHOWBIZ: Malaysian K-pop star Lingling of KIIRAS returns home for debut showcase

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian K-pop fans are brimming with excitement as Lingling, the 20-year-old leader of rising girl group KIIRAS, makes her triumphant return to her home country this week.
Spotted at the airport proudly holding her Malaysian passport, Lingling's arrival has sent a wave of national pride across social media ahead of KIIRAS's highly anticipated debut performance in Kuala Lumpur.
Formed in South Korea in May 2025 under LeanBranding, KIIRAS is a six-member multinational group that has quickly made a name for itself in the competitive 5th-generation K-Pop scene.
Their bold debut single, "Kill Ma Bo$$," showcased their unique blend of Western cowgirl aesthetics with hip-hop and R&B, earning them strong digital engagement and widespread praise.
Lingling, originally from Klang, Selangor, stands out as the first Malaysian female K-pop idol, captivating fans with her multilingual talent in Malay, Chinese, English, and Korean.
The spotlight is firmly on Lingling as KIIRAS prepares for their inaugural Malaysian showcase, part of their first overseas schedule.
The group will deliver a free live performance at the Dato Teo Hang Sam Auditorium at UOW Malaysia, as part of "The Music Journey 2" roadshow, tomorrow (Aug 1).
The show kicks off at 3pm, and fans are encouraged to arrive early to witness this momentous occasion.
Joining KIIRAS on stage will be a lineup of local and regional acts, including Priscilla Abby, Uriah, RYOTA, and Haoren, promising a vibrant celebration of music.
Ahead of their Kuala Lumpur stop, KIIRAS travelled to Singapore for promotional activities.
On July 28, as the group departed Incheon International Airport en route to Southeast Asia, Lingling, whose full name is Alicia Wong Ling Ling, unintentionally created a viral moment.
While all six members looked stylish in their coordinated tropical outfits, a photo of Lingling casually holding her red Malaysian passport quickly circulated online.
The image resonated deeply with Malaysian netizens, who expressed immense admiration and pride for the K-Pop idol's global success while still embracing her national identity.
Many celebrated her "flexing" the Malaysian passport, often regarded as one of the world's strongest.
After their Aug 1 show, KIIRAS is also scheduled to appear at a brand event in Sunway Pyramid at 2pm on Aug 2.
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