Watch out for KIIRAS! The upcoming six-member girl group under LeanBranding Entertainment is gearing up for their official debut on May 29, 2025. Leading the group is I-LAND 2’s LINGLING, who makes history as Malaysia’s first female K-pop idol and group leader.
According to Naver Entertainment, the name “KIIRAS” combines the Korean word for energy “기/氣” (ki) with the English word “rascal”, symbolizing the group’s lovable and vibrant yet mischievous charm. We can expect more teasers and updates soon through KIIRAS’s official social media channels.
KIIRAS Official Profile #KIIRAS #키라스 pic.twitter.com/3g6ES270wl
— KIIRAS_official (@official_KIIRAS) May 12, 2025
Who is I-LAND 2 LINGLING?
Born on April 20, 2005, Alicia Wong Lingling—known simply as LINGLING—is making history as the first Malaysian female K-pop idol and leader to debut. Previously a former YG Entertainment trainee and standout contestant on I-LAND 2: N/a, LINGLING was officially introduced through KIIRAS’s Instagram account, instantly sparking hype and curiosity among fans worldwide.
Fluent in English, Korean, Mandarin, and Malay, she quickly earned a reputation as a multilingual powerhouse. In addition, she developed a calm stage presence and refined vocal control through rigorous training at one of Korea’s top entertainment companies.
We may also remember her as the only Southeast Asian contestant on I-LAND 2, where her motto, “I’ll work hard to become the first female idol from Malaysia”, resonated far beyond her home country. She captivated viewers not just with her talent and poise, but also with her endearing charm and linguistic versatility, earning nicknames like #PolyglotGenius and #WakeOneInterpreter across social media.
Her leadership role in KIIRAS also marks a historic moment: LINGLING is now the second Southeast Asian K-pop idol to lead a group, following Singaporean actress and singer Tasha Low, who recently starred in Netflix’s Emerald Hill.
At just 20, LINGLING steps into the spotlight as a global K-pop breakout, representing both Malaysia and the rising influence of Southeast Asia in the industry.
KIIRAS Reveals First Pre-release Single
Just when we thought the anticipation around LINGLING and KIIRAS couldn’t get any bigger, the group turned heads again with the reveal of their pre-release title track, “KILL MA BOSS”, along with a surprise cinematic promotional video featuring actor Seo In-guk and his longtime friend, actor Eum Moon-suk.
According to Star Daily News, Seo In-guk’s appearance holds special meaning. He reportedly volunteered to support KIIRAS out of loyalty to LeanBranding CEO Kim Byung-seon, who discovered him during his Superstar K days and played a key role in his rise to stardom. Meanwhile, his close friend Eum Moon-suk readily joined him, adding a heartwarming touch to the video’s release.
On top of that, South Korean singer-songwriter SAAY—formerly of girl group EvoL—will produce KIIRAS’s debut album and oversee their vocal training. Additionally, the debut track is also backed by prominent K-pop producer DEEZ, known for his work with EXO, Red Velvet, and NCT.
Following this announcement, the “KILL MA BOSS” promo video and preview sparked a wave of excitement among global fans, teasing the concept KIIRAS plans to bring to the 5th generation K-pop scene.
As the debut countdown begins, all eyes turn to KIIRAS. With global buzz building, we can’t wait to see what this rookie group brings to the K-pop stage.
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Featured Image Credit: KIIRAS Official X
