Gaeul’s Profile
- Real Name: Kim Ga Eul
- Native Name: 김가을
- Nicknames: Sloth
- Birthday: Sep 24, 2002 (22 years old)
- Blood type: B
- Height/Weight: 164 cm (5'4") / 46 kg (101.4 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Libra
- Debut: Dec 1, 2021
- Position: Rapper
- MBTI: ISTJ (The Logistician)
- Birthplace: Incheon, South Korea
- Education: Bupyeong Girls High School
-
Nationality:
South Korean
- Profession: Singer, Rapper
- Languages: Korean
- Group: IVE
Gaeul, whose real name is Kim Ga Eul, was born on September 24, 2002, in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, South Korea. She is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, and dancer under Starship Entertainment. She is the oldest member of the girl group IVE, serving as the main dancer and lead rapper.
Early Life
From a young age, Gaeul displayed her talent for dancing by participating in school performances and teaching herself K-pop choreography from her favorite music videos. She attended Incheon Buwon Elementary School and Bupyeongseo Girls’ Middle School. During her middle school years, she joined the dance club and even served as class president.
Career
Gaeul became a trainee at Starship Entertainment in April 2017 after being scouted at the “Incheon Youth Dance Competition.” She trained for four years before debuting.
In December 2021, Gaeul debuted as a member of IVE with the single ELEVEN. The song topped the Melon chart and earned the group their first music show win just eight days after debut. Within the group, she holds the positions of main dancer and lead rapper.
2022 marked IVE’s rapid rise with the hits LOVE DIVE and After LIKE. In the track ROYAL (from the 2023 album I’ve IVE), Gaeul wrote her own rap verse with the concept of an “inner queen,” incorporating creative Korean wordplay and a confident, powerful flow. This marked her first official credit as a lyricist.
Their first full-length album I’ve IVE was a turning point for Gaeul, as she contributed lyrics to several songs—Kitsch, Hypnosis, Not Your Girl, and Next Page—showcasing a bold rap style and lines that reflect the mindset of Gen Z.
In October 2023, the group released the album I’ve Mine with the title track Baddie, which achieved a Perfect All-Kill across Korean music charts. Around the same time, IVE launched their first world tour, Show What I Have, performing in major cities including Seoul, Tokyo, Manila, Jakarta, and Singapore.
2024 saw IVE expanding their global presence. In January, they released their first English single All Night in collaboration with rapper Saweetie. This was followed by their second EP Ive Switch in April, featuring the title track Heya, which continued the group’s commercial success.
In 2025, IVE further expanded their reach with their third EP Ive Empathy, released in February. Its title track Rebel Heart topped all major Korean music charts, including Melon, Genie, Bugs, and Vibe. The group made history in July as the first K-pop girl group to perform at both Lollapalooza Berlin and Paris. Earlier in April, they held their Ive Scout concert series in Seoul and Japan, followed by the release of their Japanese EP Be Alright in July.
Fun Facts
- Holds a 3rd-degree black belt in Hapkido.
- Can spin very quickly without getting dizzy.
- Gaeul is good at science but not very good at Korean literature.
- Nicknamed “Snow Princess” because she loves winter, especially the snowfall in Jeju.
- Likes to stare at fish-shaped buns (bungeoppang) before eating them.
- Was once caught “sunbathing” indoors by drawing the curtains and lying under a warm yellow light.
- Gaeul is best friends with Seeun (STAYC) and they once studied contemporary dance together in high school.
- Gaeul’s idol is IU (Lee Ji-eun).
- Very afraid of cucumbers and once made such a dramatic facial expression that staff thought she had a stomachache.
- Has a habit of tapping her head when thinking, so she’s called the “brain-tapping fairy.”
- Can imitate Jang Wonyoung’s voice almost perfectly.
- Names every pair of earrings she owns and believes each has its own personality.
- Writes her diary in purple ink because she believes the color purple makes negative thoughts look more philosophical.
Photo Gallery
