Gaeul (singer)
As the eldest member of IVE, she anchors the group's dynamic performances with a cool, collected presence that belies her youth.
Born 2002 (age 24)·South Korean singer·Birthday: September 24·Generation Z
Biography
Born Kim Ga-eul in 2002, Gaeul stepped into the spotlight as a member of the South Korean girl group IVE, which debuted under Starship Entertainment in 2021. Her path wasn't one of child stardom but of focused training, where she honed her skills as a rapper, singer, and dancer. As the group's eldest member, a role known as the 'unnie,' she carries a quiet responsibility, often providing a stabilizing force amidst the whirlwind of K-pop fame. IVE's rapid ascent to chart dominance with hits like 'Eleven' and 'Love Dive' placed Gaeul at the forefront of a new generation of pop. Her impact lies in her specific performance style—characterized by sharp, precise movements and a poised, sometimes enigmatic stage persona that offers a compelling contrast to the group's brighter concepts, carving out a distinct space for her within the ensemble.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Gaeul was born in 2002, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Gaeul Was Born
The biggest hits of 2002
#1 Movie
Spider-Man
Best Picture
Chicago
#1 TV Show
Friends
Gaeul's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2002Born
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2007Started school
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2015Became a teenager
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Could drive
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2020Could vote
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2023Turned 21
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 24 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Debuted as a member of IVE, a group whose first five singles all achieved a 'Perfect All-Kill' on Korean music charts.
- Performed as part of IVE at the 2023 MAMA Awards, where the group won several major awards including Album of the Year.
- Contributed to IVE's commercial success, with the single 'Love Dive' winning Song of the Year at the 2022 Melon Music Awards.
Did You Know?
Her stage name, Gaeul, means 'autumn' in Korean.
She is known for being a fan of the anime 'One Piece'.
Before debut, she trained for approximately two years under Starship Entertainment.
“I want to show a new side of myself with each stage we perform.”
