Gaeul (singer)
Kim Ga-eul, best known mononymously as Gaeul, is a South Korean singer, rapper, and dancer under Starship Entertainment. She is known for being a member of the South Korean girl group Ive.
Early life and education
Kim Ga-eul was born in Bupyeong-dong of Incheon, South Korea, on September 24, 2002. She attended Bupyeong Girls' High School in Incheon.From an early age, Gaeul developed an interest in dancing and participated in various local youth competitions. Her parents initially opposed her pursuing an idol career, but agreed to support her plans if she was accepted into an entertainment agency.
In April 2017, while competing at Incheon youth dance contest, she was scouted by an agent from Starship Entertainment. Gaeul later joined Starship and trained for approximately four and a half years before debuting as a member of Ive in December 2021.
Career
2021–present: Ive and solo activities
In early November 2021, Gaeul was introduced as one of the six members of Starship Entertainment's new girl group, Ive. She was the second member to be revealed, following An Yu-jin. On December 1, Gaeul officially debuted as a member of Ive with the release of the single album Eleven, led by the song of the same name.In April 2022, Ive released their second single album Love Dive, where Gaeul attained her first songwriting credit by writing the rap lyrics for the B-side track "Royal".
In 2023, Ive pre-released the single "Kitsch" in March, featuring lyrics written by Gaeul alongside fellow member Rei, Lee Seu-ran, and Hwang Hyun, marking Ive's first chart-topping single with direct lyrical input from the members. Ive's first full album I've Ive was released on April 10, where she contributed lyrics to three of the album's B-side tracks: "Hypnosis", "Not Your Girl", and "Next Page". During 2023, Gaeul had guest appearances on various television variety shows, appearing as a guest on MBC's King of Masked Singer for episodes 400-401 and on Mnet's I Can See Your Voice 10.
On February 22, 2025, Gaeul served as a special MC on MBC's Show! Music Core, co-hosting the program alongside her bandmate Liz. In April, she helped develop the dance routine for Ive's song "TKO", working with choreographer Simeez. In November, Gaeul took on the choreographic project for the B-side track "♥beats". In creating the choreography for "♥beats", Gaeul said her goal was to highlight each member in the performance, while keeping the dance true to the song's playful, hip-hop style. That same month, Gaeul's rising profile earned her a nomination for "Fan Vote Artist – Female" at the 2025 Korea Grand Music Awards.
Other ventures
Endorsements
In November 2022, Gaeul was selected as the model for Lenina's 2022 F/W collection, released in collaboration with the online retailer W Concept. The pictorial featured Gaeul in vintage-inspired outerwear and knit pieces. In December 2022, she modeled for New Balance appearing in a pictorial for the brand's backpack collection that highlighted both school-style and street-style concepts. In May 2023, she participated in a luxury pictorial for W Korea showcasing Dolce & Gabbana apparel and accessories. In October 2025, she appeared alongside fellow member Leeseo as the face of Allure Koreas digital cover in collaboration with Crocs for the brand's "Cozy & Holiday" winter campaign.Gaeul has also attended various pop-up stores and fashion events. In January 2022, she and her fellow member band An Yu-jin visited the Yves Saint Laurent Beauty "Candy Glaze Color Balm" launch event held at Lotte World Mall in Seoul where the brand showcased the product. In January 2023, Gaeul attended the Chanel Parfumeur Masterclass event held in Seoul. In February 2023, Gaeul and Rei attended the opening event of Dyson's "Dyson Style Lab" pop‑up store in Seoul. In May that same year she was invited to a launch event at Dolce & Gabbana's Seoul flagship store for the release of the DG Logo Bag. In October 2025, Gaeul attended the opening of H&M's Seongsu flagship store participating in the brand's "A New Experience in Seongsu" launch event. In January 2026, Gaeul appeared on the cover of WWD Korea for its February issue, featuring a photoshoot centered on a casual sporty style and an interview discussing her artistic growth and career.
Gaeul has also been featured in a variety of fashion magazines, both domestically and internationally. In April 2023, she was feaetured on the cover of L'Officiel Singapore for the magazine's "Beyond the Horizon" issue, styled in Ralph Lauren and Cartier. She was featured as a cover model of Chicteen in December 2022, and also as a YK Edition cover model for L'Officiel Korea Spring/Summer 2024 issue Her other appearances include Elle Korea in September 2022, Esquire Korea in April 2025, and TadaPOPs in April 2025.
In September 2025, Gaeul attended the opening show of the 2026 Spring/Summer Seoul Fashion Week, held along the stone wall of Deoksu Palace in Seoul. She was part of the audience watching the debut runway presentation by the brand Andersson Bell, marking her first public appearance at a fashion show event.
Discography
Composition credits
All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.| Title | Year | Artist | Album | Lyricist | Composer |
| "Royal" | 2022 | Ive | Love Dive | ||
| "Not Your Girl" | 2023 | Ive | I've Ive | ||
| "Hypnosis" | 2023 | Ive | I've Ive | ||
| "Next Page" | 2023 | Ive | I've Ive | ||
| "Kitsch" | 2023 | Ive | I've Ive | ||
| "Odd" | 2025 | Herself |