U-KISS and 2NE1 have been invited as Korean representatives to perform at the F1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix which takes place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 22.

Following Wonder Girls in 2011 and Girls’ Generation in 2012, 2NE1 and U-KISS are the third group of Korean artists to perform at the ritzy sporting event, along with U.S. pop stars Demi Lovato and the Backstreet Boys.

“We have performed in lots of foreign places. We have been on stage with famous overseas pop stars before, but this performance feels a lot different,” U-KISS said about the upcoming show. “We practiced to the dance moves of the Backstreet Boys’ ‘As Long As You Love Me’ before we made our debut in the music scene.”

The septet made its debut with “New Generation” in 2008. U-KISS recently made its comeback to the K-pop business with their third album “COLLAGE.”

Heralded as one of the leading groups in K-pop and fashion, 2NE1 has produced many big hits since their debut in 2009 under YG Entertainment, including “Fire,” “Lonely,” “Ugly,” “I Am The Best” and “I Love You.” 2NE1 also collaborated with will.i.am of hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas. The group released their new song “We’ll Take the World On” produced with will.i.am on March 14 through Intel’s website.

By Bae Soo-min (soomin623@heraldcorp.com)