Latest news with #Kiiras
The Star
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Lingling is Malaysia's first female K-pop idol, leading new girl group Kiiras
South-East Asians have been making their mark in K-pop girl groups of late, like those from Thailand (Blackpink's Lisa, I-dle's Minnie, Babymonster's Pharita and Chiquita, Kiss of Life's Natty), the Philippines (Katseye's Sophia, Unis' Elisia and Gehlee) and Indonesia (Hearts2Hearts' Carmen, Secret Number's Dita). Now, Malaysia also has a female K-pop idol to call its own. Lingling, whose real name is Wong Ling Ling, is the leader and oldest member of new South Korean girl group Kiiras. The 20-year-old, who is the sextet's main rapper and sub-vocalist, is billed as the first female K-pop idol from Malaysia. Together with South Koreans Harin, Kylie, Doyeon and Roah, as well as Kurumi from Japan, Kiiras debuted on May 29 with the American country music-influenced pop and hip-hop single Kill Ma Bo$$. Lingling is proud to fly her country's flag in an increasingly diversified K-pop scene. During an interview at the Mandala Club on July 29 to promote Kiiras' debut, she said: 'Being a K-pop idol has always been my dream, and my Malaysian fans have been so supportive. I feel very happy. But because I am the first, I want to do more, so others can see their potential too, and can also become K-pop idols.' Yet, there is some pressure. 'Being a leader is not easy. Sometimes it is stressful when the other members don't listen to me. But this motivates me to do better.' Her bandmates, however, were quick to lavish praise on Lingling. The six girls are based in Seoul, where they live together in a dormitory. Youngest member Roah, 13, said: 'She is kind, charismatic, cute and pretty. An all-rounder.' Lingling's former roomate Harin, 17, added: 'She leads the team practices and is always on time. When we shared a room, I was never late.' And Kurumi, 19, who is the second-eldest, chimed in: 'She is the only one older than me, so I consider her my older sister.' Kiiras made it debut on May 29 with the American country music-influenced pop and hip-hop single 'Kill Ma Bo$$'. Kiiras is set to perform in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 1, their first live show outside of South Korea. They will take the stage during music event The Music Journey 2 Roadshow at the University of Wollongong Malaysia. Lingling is thrilled about her homecoming. 'I have always wanted to perform in Malaysia,' she said. 'And my family will watch the show too.' Her parents own a business in Malaysia and she has a younger sister, a 19-year-old university student. The other Kiiras members have not visited Malaysia before and are excited to tuck into dishes such as bak kut teh and nasi goreng. If time permits, Lingling might even show them around, with one possible attraction being the Batu Caves, which will be 'very hot', but would make a wonderful backdrop for their TikTok videos. Born in Klang, she attended Hin Hua High School and idolised K-pop girl group Twice for its 'bright and high-energy' performances. At age 17, Lingling participated in South Korean entertainment company YG Entertainment's global audition in Malaysia. She made the cut and became a trainee. Four months later, she moved to another agency, WakeOne, and participated in the K-pop reality survival show I-Land 2 (2024), which concluded with the creation of the girl group Izna. As the show's only South-East Asian contestant, Lingling could speak multiple languages – Mandarin, Malay, English and Korean – but was eliminated in the seventh episode. She then signed with South Korean entertainment agency LeanBranding, and was announced as the first member of Kiiras in April. Reflecting on her ouster from I-Land 2 , she said: 'It is a blessing in disguise, because it led me to Kiiras. And I feel that this group suits me more, because we have a younger vibe. It is fate.' – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Malaysia boleh: The country's first female K-pop idol is leading new girl group Kiiras
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Lingling of Kiiras is billed as the first female K-pop idol from Malaysia. SINGAPORE – South-east Asians have been making their mark in K-pop girl groups of late, like those from Thailand (Blackpink's Lisa, I-dle's Minnie, Babymonster's Pharita and Chiquita, Kiss of Life's Natty), the Philippines ( Katseye's Sophia , Unis' Elisia and Gehlee) and Indonesia (Hearts2Hearts' Carmen, Secret Number's Dita). Now, Malaysia also has a female K-pop idol to call its own. Lingling, whose real name is Wong Ling Ling , is the leader and oldest member of new South Korean girl group Kiiras . The 20-year-old, who is the sextet's main rapper and sub-vocalist, is billed as the first female K-pop idol from Malaysia. Together with South Koreans Harin, Kylie, Doyeon and Roah, as well as Kurumi from Japan, Kiiras debuted on May 29 with the American country music -influenced pop and hip-hop single Kill Ma Bo$. Lingling is proud to fly her country's flag in an increasingly diversified K-pop scene. During an interview at the Mandala Club on July 29 to promote Kiiras' debut, she said: 'Being a K-pop idol has always been my dream, and my Malaysian fans have been so supportive. I feel very happy. But because I am the first, I want to do more, so others can see their potential too, and can also become K-pop idols.' Yet, there is some pressure. 'Being a leader is not easy. Sometimes it is stressful, when the other members don't listen to me. But this motivates me to do better.' Her bandmates, however, were quick to lavish praise on Lingling. The six girls are based in Seoul, where they live together in a dormitory. Youngest member Roah, 13, said: 'She is kind, charismatic, cute and pretty. An all-rounder.' Lingling's former roomate Harin, 17, added: 'She leads the team practices and is always on time. When we shared a room, I was never late.' And Kurumi, 19, who is the second-eldest, chimed in: 'She is the only one older than me, so I consider her my older sister.' South Korean girl group Kiiras, consisting of (clockwise, from top left) Doyeon, Kylie, Harin, Kurumi, Roah, Lingling and Harin (centre), at the Mandala Club on July 29. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS Kiiras is set to perform in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 1, their first live show outside of South Korea. They will take the stage during music event The Music Journey 2 Roadshow at the University of Wollongong Malaysia. Lingling is thrilled about her homecoming. 'I have always wanted to perform in Malaysia,' she said. 'And my family will watch the show too.' Her parents own a business in Malaysia and she has a younger sister, a 19-year-old university student. The other Kiiras members have not visited Malaysia before, and are excited to tuck into dishes such as bak kut teh and nasi goreng. South Korean girl group Kiiras will be making their first live performance outside South Korea in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 1. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS If time permits, Lingling might even show them around, with one possible attraction being the Batu Caves, which will be 'very hot', but would make a wonderful backdrop for their TikTok videos. Born in the city of Klang in the state of Selangor, she attended Hin Hua High School and idolised K-pop girl group Twice for their 'bright and high-energy' performances. 'I want to be just like them.' At age 17, Lingling participated in South Korean entertainment company YG Entertainment's global audition in Malaysia. She made the cut and became a trainee. Four months later, she moved to another agency, WakeOne, and participated in the K-pop reality survival show I-Land 2 (2024), which concluded with the creation of the girl group Izna. Lingling was born in the city of Klang in the state of Selangor, and attended Hin Hua High School there. PHOTO: KIIRAS OFFICIAL/FACEBOOK As the show's only South-east Asian contestant, Lingling could speak multiple languages – Mandarin, Malay, English and Korean – but was eliminated in the seventh episode. She then signed with South Korean entertainment agency LeanBranding , and was announced as the first member of Kiiras in April. Reflecting on her ouster from I-Land 2, she said: 'It is a blessing in disguise, because it led me to Kiiras. And I feel that this group suits me more, because we have a younger vibe. It is fate .'
The Sun
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
K-pop rookie Lingling becomes first Malaysian female act to debut
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.
Korea Herald
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Rookie group Kiiras gears up for debut
Six-member girl group to debut May 29 Another rookie girl group is gearing up to debut in the K-pop scene. LeanBranding Entertainment announced that its new six-member girl group, Kiiras, will officially debut May 29. The lineup includes Lingling, a standout contestant from Mnet's audition program "I-Land 2" and the first Malaysian member of a K-pop girl group, along with one Japanese member and four Korean members. The group's teaser image, revealed on social media, caught attention with the team name "Kiiras" emblazoned across pink cowgirl hats. The name "Kiiras" is a combination of the Korean word 'Ki,' meaning energy, and the English word "Rascal," referring to a mischievous troublemaker. Kiiras is produced by R&B singer-songwriter and producer Saay, who debuted in 2012 as a member of the girl group EvoL. After EvoL disbanded in 2015, Saay signed with Universal Music and launched a successful solo career with her debut single "Circle" in 2017. She has since built a reputation as a top K-pop producer, working with major acts like aespa, Exo's Baekhyun, Twice and The Boyz. Saay reportedly oversaw the members' vocal training. The head of Saay's producing team SoulTree, Deez, who is known for producing hit songs for Exo, SHINee, NCT, Red Velvet and aespa, also participated in producing Kiiras's debut album. Kiiras will officially launch its debut song at 6 p.m., May 29.
