Malaysia boleh: The country’s first female K-pop idol is leading new girl group Kiiras

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 roommate 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 are 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 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.

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.”