KiOra Announces Debut Music Video Release Date at Kuala Lumpur Concert

Kuala lumpur: Rising Japanese girl group kiOra made a significant milestone on Saturday, August 1, 2026, with their first overseas concert, performing as the opening act at the CENTRAL MUSIC and ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, held at Zepp. During their performance, the four members announced that the highly anticipated debut music video for their song "Coco" will be released globally on Saturday, August 8, 2026, coinciding with the digital release of the song. According to Thai News Agency, kiOra originally debuted at the HEAD IN THE CLOUDS Music and Arts Festival in TOKYO 2026, hosted by 88rising at Makuhari Messe. They presented a new musical style they define as Tokyo Hyper City Pop, a seamless blend of hyper-pop and the captivating melodies of city pop. To celebrate the release of "Coco," fans attending the HEAD IN THE CLOUDS Music and Arts Festival at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Los Angeles, will be the first in the world to see the music video in a special screening on August 8th, before i ts official global release. Originally, kiOra was scheduled to perform at the HEAD IN THE CLOUDS Music and Arts Festival in Los Angeles, USA, on August 8th, but their appearance was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. Their first international performance, in front of eagerly awaiting fans in Kuala Lumpur, marked kiOra's first time on an international stage, a significant step on their path to global growth. Following the performance, the band members shared their feelings. OTO expressed her excitement, stating it was amazing to perform kiOra's first song, "Coco," and to sing it together with everyone. KYLA thanked the audience for their support and encouraged them to watch the music video upon its release. RUKA shared her happiness upon hearing the cheers during their performance, while YU mentioned feeling energized and committed to sharing "Coco" with more people worldwide. Regarding kiOra's debut single, "Coco," the title is inspired by the phrase "in my core" combined with the Japanese phrase "i ma coco," emphasizing that your true self lies in the present, not in a distant ideal. This song is an inspirational ballad encouraging you to find the courage to move forward, even if you feel unprepared. The core of kiOra's Tokyo Hyper City Pop sound is crafted by four talented producers and songwriters: her0ism, Yaeji, Mechatok, and Kanata Okajima. The production team also includes Yaeji, a world-renowned artist, producer, and DJ known for her collaborations with Sampha, Charli XCX, and Dua Lipa. Last year, she garnered significant attention for her official remix of Hikaru Utada's "Mine or Yours." Also featured is Mechatok, a leading hyperpop producer based in Berlin and London, known for his work with V8 (SEVENTEEN), FKA twigs, fakemink, and Bladee. Finally, the team joins one of Japan's top songwriters, Kanata Okajima, behind numerous hit songs for BTS, Namie Amuro, and many others. As production progressed, Los Angeles-based songwriter Chelsea Warner joined the team. Recording took place at StudioBea t3, founded by IRKO, a multi-platinum-selling sound engineer who has worked with The Weeknd and many other renowned artists. Vocal recording was overseen by acclaimed vocal director Ashley Alish. This collaboration of top talent from Japan, Korea, Europe, and the United States resulted in a new global pop genre, 'Tokyo Hyper City Pop.' 'Coco' marks the first chapter for kiOra, inspired by Japanese cultural heritage, and will be released globally on August 8th, with the music video to follow.