#SHOWBIZ: Malaysia's first female K-pop idol Lingling impresses in debut with girl group KIIRAS
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's first female K-pop idol, 20-year-old Alicia Wong Lingling, has officially made her industry debut with the release of her girl group KIIRAS's first single, 'Kill Ma Bo$$'.
The music video, launched by the group's agency Leanbranding yesterday, has already amassed an impressive 1.17 million views and over 34,000 likes on YouTube.
The pop song, which blends elements of R&B and country music, is a playful anthem celebrating freedom from authority, encouraging individuality and out-of-the-box thinking.
In the music video, Lingling, as the lead singer, captivates viewers in a denim vest and cowboy hat, leading the group through compelling dance sequences set to hard-hitting music.
A week prior to the single's release, the group uploaded a promotional video featuring renowned singers and actors Eum Moon-suk and Seo In-guk, known for their roles in 'Death's Game' and 'Law Of The Jungle'.
Beyond Lingling, KIIRAS's line-up includes Harin (17), Kurumi (18), Kylie (16), Doyeon (16), and Roah (13).
The group was formally announced earlier this month and first performed their debut track on the South Korean weekly music show M Countdown.
Lingling, a native of Klang, is fluent in Malay, English, Mandarin, and Korean.
A devoted fan of the girl group 2NE1 and a trainee under YG Entertainment, one of South Korea's most renowned talent agencies, she first garnered widespread attention as the sole Southeast Asian contestant on the South Korean reality show 'I-LAND 2: N/A'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hype Malaysia
9 hours ago
- Hype Malaysia
Secret Idol: What We Know About The New K-pop Spy Film Under Lee Jung Jae's Studio
It seems more Korean-made movies are going global, thanks to exciting partnerships with international companies. Recently, news outlets revealed that a South Korean production studio led by 'Squid Game' star Lee Jung Jae (이정재) has partnered up with a UK-based production company to work on a K-pop spy film. Tentatively titled 'Secret Idol', the movie is about a spy who goes undercover as a K-pop idol trainee. The movie is still in its early stages, but there are already a few notable details about the project. Here's what we know about the film so far: It's A Collaboration Between Lee Jung Jae's Studio & A Top UK Production Company The upcoming movie is a collaboration between Artist Studio and Imaginarium Productions. The partnership includes the early stages of story development and coordinating production strategies. The two companies are currently discussing the movie's casting, global distribution and expansion of international production partnerships. Artist Studio, led by Lee Jung Jae, is the content production division of the actors' agency, Artist Group. Meanwhile, Imaginarium Productions was co-founded by actor-director Andy Serkis and producer Jonathan Cavendish. The company is known for its expertise in performance capture and tech-driven storytelling. Some of its current projects include a 'Lord Of The Rings' prequel. The Movie Revolves Around A Young Spy-Turned-Kpop Trainee According to news outlets, the live-action film blends the K-pop world with the teen spy action genre. The story follows a secret agent who infiltrates the K-pop industry by going undercover as a K-pop trainee. The character has to navigate fierce competition behind glamorous stages while taking on a global crime syndicate. Lee Jung Jae Might Also Sign On As Producer & Director There's no news on what Lee Jung Jae's role is in the movie besides his studio's involvement. However, there is a high chance that the star might sign on as the executive producer for the project and even the director. If true, this wouldn't be the first time Lee Jung Jae helmed a spy movie. The actor's directorial debut was the 2022 South Korean film, 'Hunt', which follows two National Intelligence Service (NIS) agents. Fans Want BTS Jin & T.O.P In The Cast Since the movie revolves around the K-pop industry, it's no surprise that fans want a K-pop star in the cast. Some commonly mentioned names in fans' casting include BTS Jin (진) and former Big Bang member T.O.P (Choi Seung Hyun/최승현). Interestingly, T.O.P has played an assassin in the 2009 hit Korean drama 'IRIS' and has co-starred with Lee Jung Jae in 'Squid Game', so he might be a top contender for the spy role. Since the project is in its planning stage, there's probably another year or two before 'Secret Idol' could see a premiere date. What are your thoughts on the movie so far? Sources: Allkpop, Chosun, Instagram What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
The Star
15 hours ago
- The Star
K-Pop and breakdance power South Korean high-stakes presidential race
Dancers perform ahead of Lee Jae-myung's campaign event in Incheon on May 21. - Bloomberg SEOUL: In South Korea's high-stakes presidential campaign, K-pop isn't just a cultural backdrop - it's a political strategy. Both major parties are leaning on Korean pop hits to energise voters, blending choreography and catchy lyrics with political messaging. Among the favourites at campaign rallies: Kim Jong-kook's Lovable and Young Tak's Next Door Oppa, are now fixtures in events across the country. But unlike the last US presidential election, where Kamala Harris secured endorsements from Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, South Korean artists have shied away from direct campaigning, which risks alienating fans. The opposition Democratic Party has deployed a 48-member "Shouting Korea' team, which travels nationwide in mobile units designed to create festive, street-level rallies. Their goal is to produce crowd-friendly events using choreography and classic Korean pop songs before and after the party nominee Lee Jae-myung takes the stage. The conservative People Power Party has taken a similar approach, with candidate Kim Moon-soo's campaign team choosing retro hits like Lovable, over songs by current idols. "Kim's frequent use of heart gestures inspired us to highlight a 'lovable' image, playing on the song's message to enhance his public appeal,' Kim Dong-hwan, a PPP campaign official, said. South Koreans head to the polls Tuesday (June 10) after six months of political turmoil, hoping a new leader can begin to heal a fractured nation. The snap vote comes after impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed by the Constitutional Court in April for his abrupt decision to declare martial law. The state of the economy and fighting US President Donald Trump's tariffs are among the hot topics for voters, according to recent opinion surveys. Lee had 49 per cent support while Kim trailed with 36 per cent in a survey of 1,005 people commissioned by local media News 1 and released this week. "This election follows a period of martial law and impeachment,' said Kim Dae-young, a Democratic Party official. "There were debates about including strong political messages, but we decided instead to build a space where people could gather naturally - through music, dance, and video.' The campaign's setlist draws heavily on late-1990s and early-2000s pop acts chosen for their energy and broad appeal. They include Koyote's Pure Love, from 1999, diva Uhm Jung-hwa's Festival from the same year. Professional dancer Yim Young-hwan, who was hired by the liberal party to join the campaign, has choreographed several of the performances. The dance routines are deliberately simple, with occasional flourishes to grab attention, and to make it easy for people to follow. "We wanted people to say, 'Wow,' when they saw us,' Yim said. Lyrics are often adapted to highlight the candidate's character or policy goals. And choosing older tracks instead of licensing new idol music from the big K-pop companies such as SM Entertainment Inc. and Hybe Co. reduces costs, according to Kim, the PPP campaign official. Licensing fees per song could reach around three million won (US$2,170) to tens of million won, depending on its popularity. While TV and radio still play a role, Kim noted that digital content now dominates political engagement. Candidate Kim has appeared on major YouTube shows and launched a dedicated channel featuring a 13-song playlist to court online audiences. Yet despite the digital pivot, the energy of in-person street performances still resonates with many voters. "When young people perform like this, it lifts the older generation's spirits,' said Lee Soo-young, a Seoul resident, who joined Lee's campaign. - Bloomberg
The Star
15 hours ago
- The Star
Miss Grand International 2024 termination sparks online backlash
Rachel Gupta, 21, is an Indian model and beauty queen who made history as the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International title in 2024. Prior to this, she was crowned Miss Grand India 2024 and Miss Super Talent of the World 2022. - Photo: The Nation/ANN NEW DELHI: Rachel Gupta, the 21-year-old model from Jalandhar who made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International title in 2024, has now relinquished her crown — just seven months into her reign. However, the organisers mentioned that her title has been revoked, adding that 'the crown be returned to the MGI Head Office within 30 days from the date of this notice.' The organisation's head office is in Bangkok. The announcement quickly went viral, as it is rare for a titleholder to be dethroned mid-reign. Netizens swiftly began digging into the controversy, speculating and exposing alleged details. Theories ranged from breaches of discipline and inappropriate behaviour to long-standing internal issues dating back to the day she was crowned. Some even linked the dismissal to potential breaches of contract or silent defiance of the organisation's policies. Fans have rallied behind Gupta, pushing the hashtag #JusticeForRachel to trend in several countries, while demanding a clearer explanation from the pageant organisation. - Photo: Instagram On Wednesday (May 28), Rachel announced her resignation on Instagram, citing 'broken promises, mistreatment and a toxic environment.' Gupta addressed the situation via Instagram, stating: 'To all my supporters around the world: I'm truly sorry if this news has disappointed you. Please know this wasn't an easy decision, but it was the right one for me.' 'The truth will come out very soon. I love you all more than words can express. Thank you for standing by me.' The following day, she released a YouTube video titled 'The Truth about Miss Grand International — My Story,' in which she offered an unfiltered account of her experience, levelling disturbing allegations against the pageant's organisers. However, on its official Instagram page, Miss Grand International released a statement mentioning that Rachel's title was revoked due to 'her failure to fulfill her assigned duties, engagement in external projects without prior approval from the organisation, and her refusal to participate in the scheduled trip to Guatemala.' 'Miss Rachel Gupta is no longer authorized to use the title or wear the crown associated with Miss Grand International 2024,' it added. - Photo: The Nation/ANN Long-term impact of such experiences on mental health and self-worth Gurleen Baruah, existential psychotherapist at That Culture Thing, tells 'In such environments, a woman's body becomes a product to be displayed, measured, and controlled. Over time, this relentless pressure can lead to internalised perfectionism, body dysmorphia, disordered eating, and a haunting belief that love, success, or safety depends entirely on how you look.' What makes it even more harmful is the emotional isolation. Baruah explains that when you're surrounded by glamour but deprived of real support or autonomy, self-doubt turns into quiet self-rejection. Signs that someone might be trapped in a toxic or exploitative environment One of the clearest signs of a toxic or exploitative environment is the loss of personal autonomy. Baruah states, 'When adults are denied access to essentials, and expected to perform happiness while privately struggling, it starts to mirror cult-like dynamics. Subservience is rewarded, dissent is punished, and over time, the person may begin to question their own judgement.' Seeking help in these situations is hard, especially when power dynamics are steep and isolation is enforced. But even the smallest act of reaching out — whether it's talking to a trusted family member, quietly messaging a friend, or contacting a support organisation — can begin to break the silence. - Agencies
