New girl group KIIRAS brings fresh energy to the K-pop scene with their debut showcase held June 9 at Seoul’s Ilji Art Hall. Launched by LeanBranding, this six-member act includes Lingling, Harin, Kurumi, Kylie, Doyeon, and Roah.
Their pre-debut single “KILL MA BO$$”, a bold country-EDM hybrid, peaked at No. 7 on Malaysia’s iTunes chart shortly after its May 29 release—signaling a promising global reception
The group followed up on June 9 with the upbeat teen-pop track “ZILLER!”, a lighter contrast to their debut that showcases their playful and charming aura.
KIIRAS stands out not only musically but also in its multicultural and talented lineup. Lingling, born Wong Lingling (2005), became Malaysia’s first female K-pop idol and leads the group.
Other members’ backgrounds are equally distinctive: Harin excelled as a top student; Kurumi adds Japanese cultural presence; Kylie is the main rapper; Doyeon transitioned from child acting; and Roah, the youngest at 13, has roots in traditional Korean music (gugak) and acting.
Lingling spoke enthusiastically about her role and heritage, “Being the first Malaysian in a K-pop group, the response from Malaysian fans has been incredible. Their support keeps me motivated—I can’t wait to meet them in person.”
Meanwhile, Roah showcased her vocal flexibility by performing a traditional folk tune live at the showcase. She reflected on adapting her gugak style to fit the group’s sound, “I practiced toning down the distinct folk technique but still added its unique vocal strength to our performances.”
Demonstrating performance strength from the start, KIIRAS delivered dynamic live stages of “KILL MA BO$$” using handheld mics. Lingling remarked, “We want to be known as a strong live performance group,” while Kurumi emphasized their ambition, adding, “We hope to top music charts and earn rookie awards soon.”
Looking up to idols like BLACKPINK, members drew inspiration and guidance: Lingling admired their stage presence; Harin studied IZ*ONE’s Jang Wonyoung; and Doyeon was deeply moved by (G)I-DLE’s Soyeon’s humility when greeting fans.
With an exceptional lineup, global appeal, and dual tracks spanning from country-infused anthems to bubbly teen-pop, KIIRAS has already made a bold splash.
