Kilala Profile: Age, Height, Origin, Career, Facts & More
As the Korean-Japanese maknae (youngest member), vocalist, and dancer of OURBIRTHDAY (아워벌스데이)—the seven-member multinational girl group launched under JYP Entertainment subsidiary INNIT Entertainment—Kilala (키라라) completes the group’s lineup with youthful sparkle, crystalline vocal clarity, and effortless multicultural charm.
Officially debuting in August 2026 at just 15 years old with OURBIRTHDAY’s first single album Our Birthday, Kilala quickly won over fifth-generation K-pop listeners with her bright energy and endearing dynamic alongside her six older bandmates.
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Quick Fact List: Kilala (키라라)
| Profile Category | Verified Details |
| Stage Name | Kilala (키라라) |
| Birth Name | Kim Kira (김키라) / Kira (キラ) |
| Nickname(s) | Lalang (라랑이), Baby Maknae (아기 막내) |
| Group | OURBIRTHDAY (아워벌스데이 / OBD) |
| Agency | INNIT Entertainment (JYP Entertainment subsidiary) |
| Position(s) | Vocalist, Dancer, Maknae |
| Birthday | December 12, 2010 |
| Age (as of Nov 2026) | 15 years old (International — turns 16 in December 2026) |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius (Western) / Tiger (Chinese) |
| Height | 164 cm (5’4.5″) |
| Blood Type | Not publicly disclosed |
| MBTI Type | ENTP |
| Nationality | Korean-Japanese (Dual heritage) |
| Hometown / Origin | Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan |
| Languages | Japanese (Native), Korean (Fluent) |
| Debut Date | August 19, 2026 (Pre-debut unit “HUNGRY (Side B)” released July 29, 2026) |
| Representative Color | Pastel Mint / Sky Aqua |
| Representative Emoji | 🧁 (Cupcake) / ✨ (Sparkles) |
| WHIP! Character / Avatar | MINTELA (민텔라) |
Early Life and Background
Kilala was born Kim Kira (김키라) on December 12, 2010, in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, to a Korean father and a Japanese mother.
Raised in a bilingual Korean-Japanese household in northern Japan’s snowy capital, she grew up naturally fluent in both Japanese and Korean, effortlessly switching between both languages from early childhood.
Her stage name, Kilala (키라라), is a playful phonetic adaptation of her given name Kira, echoing the Japanese onomatopoeia kirakira (キラキラ)—meaning “sparkling” or “twinkling.”
Growing up in Sapporo, Kilala loved winter snow sports, music, and dancing along to K-pop performance videos in her living room. Recognizing her natural musical ear and rhythmic agility early on, she enrolled in local dance and vocal classes in Hokkaido before auditioning for South Korean entertainment agencies in her early teens.
Career Highlights
Passing Auditions and Training at INNIT Entertainment
Unlike several of her OURBIRTHDAY bandmates who competed on televised survival programs prior to debut, Kilala entered the industry through private agency auditions, joining INNIT Entertainment—JYP Entertainment’s independent subsidiary label—as one of its youngest hidden trainees.
Inside INNIT’s training studios in Seoul, Kilala impressed vocal and choreography instructors with how rapidly she absorbed complex routines despite being the youngest trainee in the room.
Her clear, bell-like upper vocal register became a defining color in vocal arrangements, providing a sweet, uplifting lift to choruses and pre-chorus harmonies.
July 2026: Pre-Debut Reveal and “HUNGRY (Side B)”
In July 2026, INNIT Entertainment rolled out its two-part promotional reveal for its inaugural seven-member girl group, OURBIRTHDAY—JYP Entertainment’s first new girl group project introduced four years after NMIXX.
Following the three-member “Side A” unit (Cho Hyejin, Baby, and Achiraya), Kilala was officially unveiled to the public on July 26–27, 2026, as the final member of the four-member “Side B” promotional unit alongside eldest member Kuk Chorok, vocalist Shin Hyewon, and Japanese rapper U.
On July 29, 2026, the Side B unit released the pre-debut digital single “HUNGRY (Side B)”, marking Kilala’s very first televised stage appearances on Korean music broadcasts such as Mnet’s M Countdown (July 30) and MBC’s Show! Music Core (August 1).
Fans immediately took notice of the 15-year-old maknae’s fearless stage presence, crisp synchronization, and bright facial expressions.
August 2026–Present: Full-Group Debut with Our Birthday and “SQUEEZY”
On August 19, 2026, Kilala officially debuted with the complete seven-member lineup of OURBIRTHDAY at their debut media showcase at Blue Square in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
The group’s first single album, Our Birthday, peaked at #6 on South Korea’s Circle Album Chart and surpassed 123,000 physical copies sold, anchored by the energetic “WHIP-HOP” title track “SQUEEZY.”
As the youngest member of the group—born more than five years after eldest member Kuk Chorok—Kilala quickly became a fan favorite across behind-the-scenes vlogs, radio appearances, and variety shows like Idol Human Theater, where her witty banter and fearless maknae confidence regularly stole the spotlight.
Brand Ambassadorships and Endorsements
Having officially debuted with OURBIRTHDAY in August 2026 at age 15, Kilala has not yet announced any solo brand ambassadorships or individual commercial endorsements.
During her initial months of active promotions in late 2026, Kilala’s commercial appearances have centered on full-group campaigns for OURBIRTHDAY—including promotional tie-ins for the 1st Single Album Our Birthday (distributed globally in partnership with INNIT Entertainment and Republic Records), Makestar fansign events, and performance showcases.
Given her fresh, youthful visuals, bilingual Korean-Japanese fluency, and bubbly maknae appeal, teen fashion, stationery, cosmetic, and confectionery brand partnerships are natural fits as her career develops.
Personality and Public Image
Testing as an ENTP, Kilala embodies the classic “fearless, witty maknae” archetype that K-pop fans adore.
Rather than being shy around her six older sisters, Kilala is quick on her feet, playfully cheeky, and unafraid to tease the older members—bringing rapid-fire humor and spontaneous energy to group livestreams and variety segments.
At the same time, her bandmates emphasize how genuinely caring and observant she is behind the scenes. Having grown up in Sapporo in a Korean-Japanese family, she acts as a natural cultural bridge alongside fellow Japanese-born member U, often helping translate subtle nuances between Korean and Japanese during interviews and international fan calls.
Inside OURBIRTHDAY’s shared dorm—where rooms were assigned fairly by drawing lots—Kilala shares a two-person bedroom with Taiwanese main dancer Baby.
As the group’s two youngest members (born in 2009 and 2010), the pair are practically inseparable, bonding over late-night snacks, silly selfies, and choreography practice.
Represented by Pastel Mint / Sky Aqua, the cupcake emoji (🧁), and her dessert avatar MINTELA, Kilala radiates the fresh, celebratory joy at the core of OURBIRTHDAY’s identity.
Fun Facts and Trivia
- Youngest Member by Over Five Years: Born on December 12, 2010, Kilala is the maknae of OURBIRTHDAY, sitting five years and four months younger than eldest member Kuk Chorok (born July 28, 2005).
- Bilingual Korean-Japanese Heritage: With a Korean father and a Japanese mother, Kilala grew up speaking both Japanese and Korean natively in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
- Hokkaido Winter Kid: Growing up in Sapporo, Kilala loves winter weather, snow, and winter sports—often talking about how much she misses Hokkaido’s powdery snow during Seoul winters.
- Dorm Roommate Dynamic: She shares the dorm’s two-person room with main dancer Baby; according to Kilala, eldest member Kuk Chorok is the group’s designated photographer who loves snapping candid pictures of everyone using Shin Hyewon’s phone.
- Sweet & Savory Favorites: Fitting her cupcake emoji (
🧁), Kilala loves strawberry shortcake, cream puffs, and Hokkaido milk ice cream, while her favorite savory Korean dish is tteokbokki with extra cheese. - Musical Role Models: She cites TWICE and NMIXX as major inspirations, admiring how seamlessly they combine live vocal power with bright, uplifting stage energy.
- Sparkling Stage Name: Her stage name Kilala is derived from her birth name Kira combined with the Japanese word kirakira (“sparkling”), reflecting her goal to bring bright energy to every stage.
Social Media and Where to Follow
As of November 2026, Kilala does not maintain an individual public Instagram, TikTok, or X account.
Fans can follow her official photos, music show fancams, bilingual Japanese/Korean greetings, and behind-the-scenes updates through OURBIRTHDAY’s official group channels managed by INNIT Entertainment:
- Instagram:
@ourbirthday_official - X (Twitter):
@OBD_offcl - TikTok:
@ourbirthday_official - YouTube:
@ourbirthday
Conclusion
Kilala’s journey from Sapporo, Japan, to the debut stage of OURBIRTHDAY captures the vibrant, borderless spirit of fifth-generation K-pop.
As the bilingual Korean-Japanese maknae of INNIT Entertainment’s flagship girl group, Kim Kira brings crystalline vocals, crisp choreography, and irrepressible ENTP wit to every performance of “HUNGRY (Side B)” and “SQUEEZY.”
With her whole career ahead of her, Kilala truly lives up to her sparkling name as one of 2026’s brightest young rookies.
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