Fresh off their Singapore debut aboard Dream Cruises’ Genting Dream, a two-night Singapore–Melaka cruise from 25 to 27 October, rookie K-pop girl group KIIRAS are determined to rise to the top,
The group, which debuted in May 2025, comprises Roah, 15, Kylie, 18, Kurumi, 20, Doyeon, 16, Harin, 18, and Ling Ling, 21, the first Malaysian leader in K-pop history. They are best known for their debut single “Kill Ma Bo$$” and their recent comeback track “TA TA”.
“This is our very first time on the cruise, so we are really excited,” Ling Ling told Her World during an interview at The Laurus, a Luxury Collection Resort, Singapore.
“We thought that it would be really fun even before we got to Singapore, and it turns out, it was. We are so happy and proud to see our Kiivilies, and we hope that our Kiivilies enjoyed our show.”
In this saturated K-pop industry, KIIRAS say their genre-fusing style is what sets them apart creatively. “We are not tied to just one genre. We’re able to try a wide range of concepts to find our own unique colour and personality to show you guys,” says Doyeon in Korean.
Case in point: Their debut single, “Kill Ma Bo$$”, is famously known for its elements of American Country, a genre that Ling Ling says not many K-pop songs incorporate.
“We thought that it would be really fun to make a song like this. And that’s why we tried to debut with Kill Ma Bo$$,” Ling Ling shares. “I think country is a concept that you can really enjoy with just simple instruments like guitar, and it is really addictive to listen to only the instruments too.”
Credit: Dream Cruises
Ling Ling, who hails from Klang, the historic royal capital of Selangor, Malaysia, previously competed on the survival show I-Land 2. Its predecessor, I-Land, formed popular K-pop boy group Enhypen in 2020. Described as “strong and charismatic” by fellow member Harin, she is now the first Malaysian leader ever in K-pop.
“It is such a great honour for me to be on a huge stage of K-pop to represent Malaysia, and I’m so happy that other people may know more about Malaysia’s diverse culture and charm through me. I feel really happy and grateful,” she says. “I think this gives me more responsibility to do better.”
Speaking about growing up in Klang, Ling Ling describes the city as having a “kind and friendly vibe”. “The vibe is more chilled and warm. Just being in Klang makes me feel relaxed. And because of this vibe, I can really just chill and relax myself easily even though I am on stage,” she says. “I can be more open about my feelings and mood. That is the most important thing.”
She adds that she also misses the “vibe” of kopitiams, and the kaya toast and eggs she grew up eating.
For KIIRAS, this is only the beginning of their journey to stardom. Harin admits the group is “not that well-known” yet, but says the most important mindset is to still be confident and go their own way. “We are just going to keep on working hard to show our skills and slowly earn our recognition,” she says in Korean.
