Gaeul

Kim Ga-eul, known mononymously as Gaeul, is a South Korean singer, rapper, and dancer. Born on September 24, 2002, she is best known as a member of the South Korean girl group Ive, operating under Starship Entertainment.

Gaeul was born in Bupyeong-dong, Incheon, South Korea, and attended Bupyeong Girls' High School. Developing an interest in dance at an early age, she initially studied ballet before taking up hip-hop dance and participating in local youth competitions. Although her parents initially opposed her pursuing a career as a K-pop idol, they agreed to support her if she earned acceptance into an entertainment agency.

In April 2017, while participating in a youth dance competition in Incheon, Gaeul was scouted by a representative of Starship Entertainment. She joined the agency and trained for approximately four and a half years prior to making her official debut.

In November 2021, Gaeul was introduced as the second member of Starship Entertainment's girl group Ive. She officially debuted with the group on December 1, 2021, with the release of their single album Eleven and its lead single of the same name.

Beyond performing, Gaeul has contributed as a lyricist and choreographer for Ive. In April 2022, she received her first songwriting credit for writing rap lyrics on the B-side track "Royal" from the single album Love Dive. In March 2023, she co-wrote lyrics for the single "Kitsch" alongside fellow member Rei, Lee Seu-ran, and Hwang Hyun. For Ive's first studio album, I've Ive, released on April 10, 2023, she contributed lyrics to the tracks "Hypnosis", "Not Your Girl", and "Next Page". In 2025, she helped develop choreography for the songs "TKO" and "♥beats", intending the latter to highlight each member while reflecting a playful hip-hop style.

Gaeul has engaged in numerous fashion and endorsement projects. In November 2022, she was featured in promotional material for Lenina's fall/winter collection with retailer W Concept, followed by a New Balance pictorial in December. She appeared in a W Korea pictorial featuring Dolce & Gabbana in May 2023, and on an Allure Korea digital cover with member Leeseo for Crocs in October 2025. In July 2026, Roger & Gallet appointed her as a brand ambassador for China, marking her first brand ambassador role.

Gaeul has also appeared on various publication covers, including Chicteen in December 2022, L'Officiel Singapore in April 2023, L'Officiel Korea YK Edition for Spring/Summer 2024, WWD Korea in February 2026, and the Chinese magazine Knight in April 2026. Her additional editorial appearances include Elle Korea in September 2022, Esquire Korea in April 2025, and Cosmopolitan Korea.

In public campaign work, Gaeul was chosen in April 2026 as a partner for the "2026 Reading Korea" campaign, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. She participated in the campaign's launch ceremony at Starfield Library in COEX, Seoul, on April 23.