From Klang to Korea: Meet Ling Ling, Malaysia’s First K-pop Female Idol

By Jocelyn Ng Xiao Qi

New to Ling Ling? Not anymore! Hailing from Klang, Ling Ling (also known as Alicia Wong Ling Ling) made her official debut last May as the leader, main rapper, and vocalist of the new global girl group, KIIRAS. And yes, she’s already making waves.

Ling Ling Official Profile (Image credit: kiiras_official on Instagram)

Meet KIIRAS – Not Your Typical K-Pop Group

KIIRAS isn’t just any girl group. Debuting under Lean Branding, the group brings together talents from across Asia: Ling Ling (Malaysia), Kurumi (Japan), and Harin, Kylie, Doyeon, and Roah (South Korea). The group’s name is a creative fusion of “Ki” (meaning energy in Korean) and “Rascal”, symbolizing their bold energy and mission to become trendsetters in the K-pop world. Unlike most K-pop groups, KIIRAS is here to redefine what a K-pop group can be – fresh, international, and full of personality. 

KIIRAS Official Profile (Image credit: kiiras_official on Instagram)

From No One to Someone

Before making her mark in the industry, Ling Ling was just a high school student and member of Hin Hua Choir. Inspired by 2NE1 and TWICE, her K-pop dream began in 2022 with the YG Global Audition, where she stood out as the only Malaysian finalist. 

After a brief four-month training period, she transitioned to WakeOne Entertainment and made her first public appearance as a contestant on I-LAND 2: N/A in 2024.

Ling Ling on I-LAND2: N/a (Image credit: mnetiland on Instagram)

Though she didn’t make it to the final round, her standout performances and consistent growth earned her massive support from both Malaysian and international fans. From billboards in Hongdae, to appearances in Olive Young stores across Korea and Japan, to food trucks sent to the filming site, these are what fans can make happen for Ling Ling. She is the pride of Malaysians. 

The Debut

On 29 May, KIIRAS officially debuted with their digital single “KILL MA BO$$.” The track opens with Harin’s sweet voice, followed by Ling Ling’s charismatic tone, and surprises listeners with a never-heard-before fusion of American country, R&B, and hip-hop – a refreshing break from the K-pop norm. 

KIIRAS “KILL MA BO$$” Concept Photo (Image credit: kiiras_official on Instagram)

The genre-blending bridge adds the perfect finishing touch, setting them apart from the rest. And while the members may be young (with an average age of just 16.7), their live performance skills are truly impressive. Performing with handheld mics on Korean music shows further proved their real talent and strong stage presence. They ate and left no crumbs.

Future Plans in Malaysia?

During a recent fan call, Ling Ling shared that Lean Branding has plans to bring KIIRAS to Malaysia, and the members are just as excited to visit Malaysia! They’re just waiting for the right timing. 

On 15 June, KIIRAS had their first Malaysian billboard displayed in Bukit Bintang, which all the members saw and acknowledged via TikTok. But that’s not all. Just a few weeks ago, Ling Ling, Kylie, and Roah posted the MWA! Dance Challenge by local girl group DOLLA, which gained over 2 millions views on TikTok. In return, DOLLA’s Tabby joined the fun by doing the KILL MA BO$$ challenge, and Angel even reposted KIIRAS’s version of “MWA!” dance on X (formerly known as Twitter). Even more exciting? Lean Branding recently followed DOLLA on Instagram – could we be seeing a potential collaboration between K-pop and M-pop in the future?

KIIRAS Billboard at Bukit Bintang (Credit: @khairulhafiz_97 on X)

Ling Ling’s journey in the K-pop industry shows us that if you have a dream, go for it. And that’s exactly what she did. So let’s keep showing love and support to Ling Ling and KIIRAS!