KIIRAS: Meet The Members Of The Upcoming 5th Gen K-pop Girl Group
The buzz surrounding Lean Brand Entertainment's new girl group, KIIRAS (키라스), took Malaysia by storm as we catch a glimpse of the first Malaysian-born female idol debuting on the K-pop stage in May. With the first half of promotions of the group focused on Ling Ling (링링), we're finally getting a glimpse of a full lineup of new members being introduced to social media.
Dropped on this week (30th April 2025) on the official KIIRAS Instagram page, the reveal of 3 other members, namely, Kurumi (쿠루미), Harin (하린), and Kylie (카일리), were posted along with their concept photos. Let's get to know the girls of KIIRAS!
1. Ling Ling (링링)
Real Name: Alicia Wong, Huáng Línglíng (黄羚棱)
Position: TBA
Born on 20th April 2005
Known as the Polyglot Genius, she speaks four languages, Chinese, Malay, Korean and English
She's from Klang, Malaysia
2. Harin (하린)
Real name: Kim Min-ju (김민주)
Position: TBA
Born in 2008
A goddess-like beauty with brains. Ranked first in her whole middle school
South Korean
3. Kurumi (쿠루미)
Real Name: Katagiri Kurumi (片桐くるみ)
Position: Main Vocalist
Born 20th June 2006
Attended BRIDGE dance school in Japan
Japanese
4. Kylie (카일리)
Position: Main Rapper
Born in 2009
Has a casual, carefree demeanour
South Korean
Stay tuned for more updates on the full lineup coming really soon! Do you have a bias so far? Are you excited for the debut of KIIRAS on 29th May 2025?
Sources: Instagram, Chosunbiz
Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Surge in foreign tourists visiting S'gor in lead-up to VSY 2025
From left: Amirudin and Ng visiting a booth at the Sekinchan Padi Field Festival 2025. SELANGOR is experiencing a shift in its tourism landscape as international visitors begin to form a larger part of the state's tourist arrivals. According to state local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim, the ratio of international to domestic tourists was previously 30:70. 'But by 2024, we successfully broke that pattern. 'Now, international tourists make up a larger share of visitors. 'This a positive sign for Selangor's growing global appeal,' he said. Ng said that while the momentum was encouraging, Sekinchan faced one major hurdle – the lack of four-star hotels for the rising number of higher-spending tourists. He was speaking to reporters at Sekinchan Padi Field Festival 2025 in the Sabak Bernam district. The state government had aimed to draw some 13,000 visitors to the two-day event. Held at Terminal Sekinchan, the festival was the first of its kind in Malaysia and had been held in support of Visit Selangor Year (VSY) 2025. (From left) Saipolyazan, Ng and Chua answering media queries at the festival. 'This festival was created to let visitors enjoy the beauty of agro-tourism in northern Selangor, a region that produces the most rice in Malaysia and is rich in natural beauty that you can't find in modern cities,' said Ng. The festival was launched by Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. Held from 7am to 7pm over two days, it featured a variety of family-friendly and cultural activities. Among first day highlights were electric tram and rickshaw tours through padi fields, a food festival, traditional kite (wau kapal) demonstrations, a mini kite decoration competition and a live performance by Malaysian singer-songwriter Aizat Amdan. The second day offered even more attractions, which included a padi field run, free health screenings and environmental volunteer activities. The festival was part of the VSY2025 campaign that aimed to draw 8 million visitors and generate RM11.7bil in tourism- related transactions. To support these goals, the Selangor Budget 2025 has allocated RM8mil for VSY2025 preparations. These include programming and upgrading tourism facilities across all nine districts. In the works are over 100 programmes and initiatives covering educational tourism, sports, food and beverage, arts, culture and heritage. Also present during the festival press conference were Menteri Besar Incorporated chief executive officer Saipolyazan M. Yusop and Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling.
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Spotlight on leadership at hospitality festival
Participants were treated to a dynamic events line-up that included keynote addresses, expert panels, workshops and group chats. OVER 120 hospitality professionals from South-East Asia, Japan and China met in George Town, Penang, to be a part of global growth in the sector. They attended the three-day Ascott Learning Festival 2025 held at Ascott Gurney Penang, which was designed to foster leadership, innovation and professional growth. The festival, in its second edition, was themed 'Grow with Us, Lead Our Future'. It showcased a forward- thinking agenda with keynote addresses, expert panels, workshops and group chats. Organised by The Ascott Limited (Ascott), it aimed to deepen regional collaboration and strengthen lifelong learning across the Ascott network. Participants were treated to a dynamic events line-up that included a food innovation session led by acclaimed chef Darren Teoh of Malaysia's sole two Michelin star-restaurant Dewakan. Lim (second from left) posing for a photo with (from left) ascott learningand development director reuben Chen yong Soon, ascott GurneyPenang general manager Chan Kuok-Pin and Citadines ConnectGeorgetown Penang general manager Lee Boon Kae during the festival. Teoh explored the contrasts and commonalities between street food and hotel dining. In a lighter segment titled 'Ask Me Anything', popular Malaysian stand-up comedian Douglas Lim charmed the crowd. When asked what career he might have pursued had he not become a comedian, Lim quipped, 'I actually studied to be a teacher but then I realised it wouldn't suit me, mainly because I hate children.' The laughter Lim elicited brought a fun twist to the festival's otherwise intensive programme and allowed attendees to connect through shared humour. Ascott Malaysia country general manager Mondi Mecja, in his speech at the event, said the festival was more than just a corporate training event. 'It's a platform for our people to be inspired by the best in the business, from culinary innovators to thought leaders in AI (artificial intelligence) and wellness,' he added. The festival nurtured attendees with sessions covering digital marketing trends, financial literacy, mindfulness and adaptive leadership. The final day focused on strategic thinking and featured a live-streamed dialogue with CapitaLand Group chairman Wong Kan Seng and CapitaLand Investment (CLI) chairman Miguel Ko. Participants also enjoyed cultural immersion activities, adding local flavour to the festival. Since launching Asia-Pacific's first international-class serviced residence in 1984, Ascott has become a leading global hospitality company. Headquartered in Singapore, it has over 950 properties in over 230 cities across more than 40 countries. Among its range of accommodations are serviced residences, hotels and senior living under brands like Ascott, Citadines and Lyf. As a wholly-owned unit of CLI, Ascott leverages its expertise and network in hospitality, and investment management.
Borneo Post
8 hours ago
- Borneo Post
From Shandong to Spain: Chinese martial arts inspire cross-cultural exchange
Zhang (right) teaching a foreign student martial arts in Longkou City, east China's Shandong Province. – Xinhua photo JINAN (June 7): In a classroom at the Confucius Institute of the University of Granada, in Spain, a group of Spanish students mirrored their teacher's martial arts movements: holding horse stance, jabbing with controlled force, and retracting elbows in fluid arcs. Leading them was Zhang Daojin, an inheritor of Six Harmony Praying Mantis boxing, which is a Kung Fu style originating from Shandong Province in east China. Zhang recently concluded a two-week cultural exchange programme in Spain, sharing Chinese Kung Fu with martial arts enthusiasts from Spain and other European countries through lectures and training sessions. 'Chinese Kung Fu is much more than a way to get fit. It's rich with cultural and philosophical significance,' said Alejandro Romero, a 43-year-old instructor who started his martial arts journey at 15. 'It's woven into my daily routine. I've found myself growing stronger, both physically and mentally.' Six Harmony Praying Mantis boxing is celebrated for its unique blend of strength and gentleness. It focuses on internal and external training and reflects traditional Chinese beliefs about the balance between humanity and nature. In addition to Six Harmony Praying Mantis boxing, Zhang also introduced Tai Chi and Qigong, sparking engaging conversations about martial arts, wellness and the richness of traditional Chinese culture. 'The Spanish students are passionate, hardworking and adaptable to different cultures,' Zhang remarked. 'Some have even made the journey to Shandong several times to deepen their Kung Fu practice. Their commitment is truly inspiring.' Alejandro Alvarez, 45, has studied under Zhang since 2009 and runs a traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Granada. 'Kung Fu has transformed my life,' he said. 'It has not only strengthened my body but also enriched my spirit and mind.' Martial arts enthusiasts from China and Spain participating in a martial arts exchange event at the University of Granada in Spain. – Xinhua photo As martial arts continue to grow in popularity in Spain, more and more enthusiasts are traveling to China for training, and some have even established martial arts schools in Spain. Zhang has made several trips to Spain since receiving his first Spanish student in 2006, during which time he has shared his knowledge with thousands of students of all ages. This growing interest reflects Spain's trend toward wellness practices that blend physical fitness with mental health, as martial arts strengthen the body and foster emotional connections. Bu Shan, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Granada, said that Spain is now home to over a hundred martial arts schools, and many practitioners travel to China for studies every year. She believes martial arts promote mutual understanding and provide a glimpse into Chinese culture. During traditional Chinese festivals like the Spring Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival, martial arts performances have become a bonding activity connecting local and Chinese communities, even 'a bridge for cultural exchange', Bu added. The Confucius Institute at the university is preparing for a martial arts festival in Spain and plans to send a delegation to a competition in Shandong later this year. Isabel María Balsas Ureña, the Spanish director of the institute, said martial arts transcend physical techniques. 'It's a philosophical practice,' she explained. 'It instills values like respect and sharing, ultimately teaching us how to live harmoniously with one another. 'The principles found in Chinese Kung Fu resonate profoundly across different cultures.' – Xinhua China martial arts Spain Xinhua
