Riding high from their fearless debut with 'KILL MA BO$$' and a Rookie of the Year win at the 2025 Korea Hallyu Entertainment Awards, KIIRAS are proving they’re more than just hot rookies — they’re redefining what a fifth-gen K-pop group can be.
With their eye-catching cowgirl concept, genre-blending sound, and unapologetically bold energy, the six-member group — Lingling, Harin, Kurumi, Kylie, Doyeon, and Roah — have captured hearts across Korea and beyond. Leading the charge is Lingling, who’s made history as the first Malaysian idol in a K-pop girl group, inspiring a wave of fans across Southeast Asia.
But KIIRAS aren’t stopping there. As they gear up for their next era, they’re ready to take global stages by storm — one boss move at a time.
‘KILL MA BO$$’ delivers a bold message about breaking societal norms. What was the creative process behind shaping such a strong debut?
We didn’t want to only show one side of ourselves. While recording, we experimented with different energies — delivering the same line in bossy, confident, or charismatic tones. That mix is what gave the song its edge.
What are some “bosses” or challenges you personally want to overcome as artists?
Our biggest “boss” is ourselves — our own limits. We want to break through those boundaries and grow beyond what we think we’re capable of.
Your cowgirl-themed visuals are strikingly different from most rookie K-pop debuts. What inspired the group to embrace this Western aesthetic?
We wanted to surprise people and bring something refreshing. By blending the country genre with K-pop, we created a vibe that feels both shocking and new. Each song has a different feel, and this was a way to show a unique side of ourselves.
Your follow-up single ‘ZILLER!’ introduced a brighter, more playful side to KIIRAS. How do you approach balancing fierce and fun in your musical identity?
We’re really thankful and excited to be able to show both sides. Our fans mean everything to us, so we want to keep surprising them with different vibes — whether it’s fierce like 'KILL MA BO$$' or playful like 'ZILLER!'.
Winning Rookie of the Year at the 2025 Korea Hallyu Entertainment Awards is a huge moment—how did it feel hearing your name called on that stage?
Unreal! We were so thankful and excited.
You mentioned in your award speech a desire to meet fans around the world. What does global fandom mean to KIIRAS, and how do you stay connected to them?
We use social media and platforms to stay in touch with both our Korean and international fans. They mean everything to us! Through social chat apps, we can connect directly and share moments with fans around the world.
Lingling, as the first Malaysian K-pop girl group member, how do you hope to represent and inspire fans back home?
I hope to be remembered as a great leader and an all-rounder. I also want to encourage more people in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia to chase their dreams of becoming a K-pop idol — if that’s what they want, they should go for it.
KIIRAS blends multiple cultures and languages. How do these diverse backgrounds influence your group’s creative process and chemistry?
There’s so much to learn from each other. Even in small funny moments, like when we have to translate a silly story through different languages (Laughs) - it’s moments like these that remind us our diversity is what makes us dynamic!
As rookies gaining rapid attention, what have been the biggest learning curves navigating fame and the K-pop industry?
After debut, we got to film challenge videos with other K-pop idols. Through that, we picked up a lot about facial expressions and stage presence. Working as a team helped us grow a lot — we’ve really improved in how we express ourselves naturally on stage.
Can fans expect an album, a tour, or any new projects soon? What’s next in the KIIRAS timeline?
We’re planning a comeback in the second half of this year — so please look forward to it!
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