Latest news with #I-Land2
Korea Herald
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Rookie group Kiiras gears up for debut
Six-member girl group to debut May 29 Another rookie girl group is gearing up to debut in the K-pop scene. LeanBranding Entertainment announced that its new six-member girl group, Kiiras, will officially debut May 29. The lineup includes Lingling, a standout contestant from Mnet's audition program "I-Land 2" and the first Malaysian member of a K-pop girl group, along with one Japanese member and four Korean members. The group's teaser image, revealed on social media, caught attention with the team name "Kiiras" emblazoned across pink cowgirl hats. The name "Kiiras" is a combination of the Korean word 'Ki,' meaning energy, and the English word "Rascal," referring to a mischievous troublemaker. Kiiras is produced by R&B singer-songwriter and producer Saay, who debuted in 2012 as a member of the girl group EvoL. After EvoL disbanded in 2015, Saay signed with Universal Music and launched a successful solo career with her debut single "Circle" in 2017. She has since built a reputation as a top K-pop producer, working with major acts like aespa, Exo's Baekhyun, Twice and The Boyz. Saay reportedly oversaw the members' vocal training. The head of Saay's producing team SoulTree, Deez, who is known for producing hit songs for Exo, SHINee, NCT, Red Velvet and aespa, also participated in producing Kiiras's debut album. Kiiras will officially launch its debut song at 6 p.m., May 29.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Lingling becomes Malaysia's first female K-pop idol
KUALA LUMPUR: At just 19, Alicia Wong Ling Ling or Lingling is making waves as Malaysia's first homegrown female K-pop idol. The Klang-born beauty is now ready to take her place in the global K-pop music industry. In a recent news report, Lingling said that her breakthrough came via Mnet's hit survival show I-Land 2. "I quickly became a fan favourite and they praised me for my charm, stage presence and ability to juggle multiple languages with ease," she said. In fact, Lingling's fluency in Chinese, Malay, English and Korean wowed the judges and audiences. She finished second in the preliminary voting rounds and secured a spot in the agency Leanbranding's first global girl group, slated to debut at the end of May. Lingling's Instagram account went live on April 18, and she is fast amassing a strong following on social media. Before I-Land 2, Lingling was also a trainee at YG Entertainment, one of South Korea's most prominent agencies responsible for the likes of BlackPink, 2NE1, Winner, and Babymonster. "That early experience helped sharpen my skills and deepen my understanding of the industry," she said.
The Star
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
From Klang to Korea: Lingling becomes Malaysia's first K-pop idol
At just 19, the K-pop idol known as Lingling to her fans is making waves as Malaysia's first homegrown K-pop idol. Photos: Lingling/Instagram Who would've guessed that a future K-pop sensation was quietly honing her star power in Klang, Selangor? Today, Alicia Wong Lingling is striding boldly onto the global stage – ready to take her place among the industry's rising elite. At just 19, the K-pop idol known as Lingling to her fans is making waves as Malaysia's first homegrown K-pop idol and it is a moment that's sending ripples of excitement through the local K-pop community. Her breakthrough came via Mnet's hit survival show I-Land 2: N/a , where she quickly became a fan favourite thanks to her unique blend of charm, calm stage presence and a brain that could seemingly juggle multiple languages with ease. In fact, it is her fluency in Chinese, Malay, English and Korean that not only wowed the judges and audiences but also earned her playful fan-given nicknames like #PolyglotGenius and #WakeOneInterpreter. Now, after placing second in the show's preliminary voting rounds, Lingling has officially secured a spot in the agency, Leanbranding's first global girl group, which is slated to debut at the end of May. While the group's name and exact launch date are still under wraps, the buzz is already building, especially after the agency publicly confirmed Lingling's inclusion. Her fans did not have to wait long for the first sign of her post-show journey as her personal Instagram account went live on April 18, a symbolic step from K-pop trainee to full-fledged idol. Throughout I-Land 2 , Lingling's blend of talent and personality lit up the screen. From the way she handled group missions to her thoughtful demeanour offstage, she stood out not just as a performer but as someone who brought genuine warmth to the often intense world of K-pop competition. Before I-Land 2 , Lingling was also a trainee at YG Entertainment, one of Korea's most prominent agencies. That early experience helped sharpen her skills and deepen her understanding of the industry, setting her apart as someone to watch. Lingling's presence in a K-pop girl group marks a historic first for Malaysia, expanding the boundaries of representation in an industry often dominated by a few nationalities. According to a report by Korea JoongAng Daily , Leanbranding confirmed that more details on the upcoming debut will be released soon via its official social media platforms. As the countdown to her debut begins, one thing is certain, Klang's very own Lingling is about to make Malaysian history on one of the world's biggest stages. – Sinar Daily
