Have you heard of the group kiOra?
On March 28, 2026, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, the name of this four-member group—OTO, KYLA, RUKA, and YU—was proudly unveiled on stage at 88rising’s HEAD IN THE CLOUDS Music & Arts Festival in TOKYO 2026.
Despite not having made their official debut yet, they are already on an unprecedented streak of success. Following a performance at the NYLON JAPAN 22ND ANNIVERSARY PARTY, they have lined up back-to-back opening act slots: first at TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION NIIGATA 2026 on July 18, followed by the Kuala Lumpur edition of CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2026 on August 1.
Riding this wave of momentum, they are set to take the stage at the flagship HEAD IN THE CLOUDS Music & Arts Festival on August 8 at the historic Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, USA.
Launched by 88rising in 2018, this world-renowned festival has traveled to global hubs like LA, NY, Jakarta, and Manila, showcasing prominent talent with a focus on Asian artists. This year, kiOra joins a star-studded lineup that features XG, KATSEYE, Rich Brian, and UMI.
Here at Nothingness, we caught up with kiOra for an exclusive interview. We dived deep into the meaning behind their name, their mindset heading into these massive global stages, and what they hope to conquer next.
I heard that the group name “kiOra” comes from the word “Kiyoraka(Pure),” which signifies beauty found within imperfection. Why did you choose to value “being incomplete/unfinished” over “completed perfection”?
KYLA: The more you chase your ideals, the more you realize “I want to become even better.” That is why I believe the very process of pursuing those ideals holds the true meaning.
Because I have a vision of who I want to be, I can notice the areas where I currently fall short, which inspires me to grow even more every time. Personally, I find that continuous effort and the attitude of striving to grow is the most beautiful thing of all.
So to me, “kiOra” is a name that represents the beauty of growing while constantly chasing your ideals, rather than being perfect.
YU: For us, being incomplete means that there is no final destination. We believe that the most beautiful state is to constantly aim higher, give our absolute best in every single moment, and keep growing day by day.
Please share any memorable stories or episodes from your recording sessions in LA—such as challenges you faced or the moment you finally got a take you were happy with.
KYLA: Until now, my only experience with recording was going into the booth and tracking vocals one person at a time. This time, though it was only for a part of the song, it was our first time recording with all the members together.
It was so much fun putting our voices together and matching our timing, and I found it incredibly moving!
YU: I struggled quite a bit with recording the choruses and harmonies. However, by taking each note carefully exactly as I was taught, I gradually got the hang of it. When all the different vocal tracks finally came together as one at the end, the sound instantly gained so much depth, and I was deeply moved.
During the vocal tracking, did the producer or engineer say anything that left a lasting impression on you?
KYLA: Actually, up until the day of the recording, it hadn’t been decided who would sing which part. So, I practiced every single part so that I would be ready no matter which one I was assigned. On the day of the session, we started with a mic test, and the producer told me, “KYLA, you are definitely meant for this part.” That moment really stuck with me.
To be honest, I had never imagined myself singing that specific part, so I was completely surprised.
RUKA: During the recording, I received direction to “try singing in a lower tone than usual.” It felt a bit unfamiliar at first, but when I actually tried it, it felt incredibly natural to me. The producers also told me, “Your deep voice sounds great!” It left a huge impression on me because it helped me discover the charm of my lower register, which I hadn’t noticed before.
“HEAD IN THE CLOUDS,” hosted by 88rising, is a festival that has been showcasing Asian artist culture to the world. How did you honestly feel when it was decided that you would perform there?
OTO: I was happy from the bottom of my heart. My first thought was that I wanted to tell my family right away. Just a year ago, I was in the crowd watching the festival in LA, so being able to stand on that stage now feels like a dream.
RUKA: Last year, we went to watch that very festival as audience members, and the fact that we get to stand on that same stage and perform this year feels like an absolute dream. I am filled with gratitude and joy. I will do my absolute best and work even harder to make the most of this opportunity and deliver a performance with no regrets!
How do you hope to convey the “Japanese essence” and the “identity of kiOra” through your music and performance to an international audience?
KYLA: Our tracks incorporate sounds and melodies where you can really feel a Japanese essence, so I’d love for people to notice and listen for that first. I also think the unique ring of the words and the beauty of expression inherent to the Japanese language is part of our charm that will feel fresh to global audiences.
YU: I want us to perform while deeply cherishing our core concept, “Japanese Heritage.” Through our teamwork, expressiveness, and the Japanese lyrics woven into our songs, I hope to convey not only who we are as kiOra, but also the beauty of Japanese culture to people all over the world.
Outside of music, is there any fashion, art, or film that is currently influencing who you are?
OTO: I’ve made it a rule to watch at least one movie a week, and recently I’ve also really gotten into reading books. It broadens my horizons, and seeing new worlds is having a huge influence on who I am right now. Fashion is also a massive part of my life because seeing and wearing things I love really lifts my mood.
KYLA: Every member of our group is influenced by different things, whether it’s our taste in fashion or art. That’s why talking about and sharing what we love always leads to new discoveries, like “Wow, I never thought about it that way,” and it keeps us constantly inspired.
I especially love fashion, and I’m influenced by 2000s styles as well as elegant, classic aesthetics like “Old Money.” Whenever I find a styling or photo I like, I save it, and my hobby is to actually go to thrift stores and dig for clothes. I feel that taking in these inspirations daily connects to how I express myself in my own unique way.
RUKA: I love reading books and watching movies. They often open my eyes to new perspectives and ways of thinking, so I think they have a major influence on me.
YU: Watching various movies and dramas. Through these stories, I can experience emotions that I wouldn’t normally encounter in my day-to-day life. I feel this experience expands my range of expression and helps me grow as a person.
What is the number one thing each member wants to challenge themselves with right now?
OTO: I want to challenge myself with songwriting and composing. I love writing lyrics, so I really want to give it a try.
KYLA: First and foremost, my biggest goal right now is to have as many people as possible get to know and love kiOra. Right now, we are performing at events alongside many wonderful artists, but my dream is to increase the number of people who say, “I want to go because it’s a kiOra show,” and eventually hold our own solo concert.
To achieve that, I am currently challenging myself to give every single stage my absolute all, delivering performances that make even first-time viewers think, “I want to see kiOra again.” I want to cherish each and every stage, building our path forward while gradually growing our circle of supporters.
RUKA: What I want to challenge myself with the most right now is playing instruments and writing lyrics. I’ve been playing the guitar and piano as a hobby, but from now on, I want to study the basics properly and grow to a level where I can confidently call it one of my strengths. I also want to hone my songwriting skills so that I can become an artist who can deliver my unique thoughts and messages in my own words.
YU: Acrobatics. I used to attend an acrobatics class for a little while, but I haven’t mastered the back handspring yet, so I hope to be able to showcase acrobatics in our performances someday.
Please tell us about your upcoming plans.
RUKA: In August, we will be performing at the “CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2026” in Kuala Lumpur and at “Head in the Clouds in Los Angeles”! We, kiOra, will be fully launching our activities this summer, so please keep an eye on us!
