Giselle (aespa) | Uchinaga Eri

Giselle (aespa): Everything You Need to Know

Giselle (aespa) has become a rising star in the K-pop industry, captivating audiences worldwide with her unique blend of talents. As a member of the popular girl group aespa, she has made a significant impact on the music scene since her debut. Giselle's multilingual abilities, including fluency in English, Japanese, and Korean, have set her apart in the competitive world of K-pop.

Giselle's journey, from her early life to her rise to fame with aespa. We'll explore her musical style, personal characteristics, and role within the group. Additionally, we'll look at her solo activities, public image, and the challenges she's faced along the way. By the end, readers will have a comprehensive understanding of Giselle's contributions to aespa and the broader K-pop landscape.

Stage Name: Giselle (지젤)

Birth Name: Uchinaga Aeri (うちながえり/우치나가에리)

English Name: Giselle Uchinaga

Korean Name: Cho Aeri (조애리)

Position: Main Rapper, Sub-Vocalist

Birthday: October 30th, 2000

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Chinese Zodiac Sign: Dragon

Height: 163~164 cm (5’4″)

Weight: N/A

Blood Type: O

MBTI Type: INFJ (Her former result was ENFP)

Nationality: Japanese-Korean

Representative Symbol: Crescent Moon 🌙

Representative Animal: Unicorn 🦄

Representative Number: 22

Instagram: @aerichandesu

Giselle (aespa) | Main Rapper, Sub Vocalist

Early Life and Background

Birth and Family

Giselle, whose birth name is Uchinaga Aeri (うちながえり/우치나가에리), was born on October 30, 2000, in Garosu-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. She has a unique multicultural background, with a Japanese father and a Korean mother. Interestingly, Giselle's mother used to be a fashion designer. As an only child, Giselle grew up in a household that blended both Japanese and Korean cultures.

Childhood in Japan

Despite being born in Seoul, Giselle spent her childhood in Tokyo, Japan. This early exposure to different cultures played a significant role in shaping her identity and linguistic abilities. During her childhood, Giselle participated in various leisure activities, including being a part of a choir. These early experiences in music would later contribute to her career path in the K-pop industry.

Education

Giselle's educational journey reflects her international upbringing. She attended Tokyo International School and later transferred to the International School of the Sacred Heart in Japan. Notably, the Sacred Heart School is the same institution attended by Rima from NiziU, another K-pop idol. It was during her sophomore year of high school that Giselle was introduced to K-pop, sparking her interest in the genre. Her international education allowed her to become fluent in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, and Korean.

Pre-Debut Years

Training Period

Giselle's journey to becoming a K-pop idol was remarkably swift. She joined SM Entertainment in December 2019 and trained for just 10 months before being revealed as a member of aespa. This gives her the distinction of having the shortest training period among all female SM Entertainment idols. Her rapid progress stands in stark contrast to other SM artists, such as former Girls' Generation members Jessica, Hyoyeon, and Sooyoung, who trained for 7.5, 7, and 6.5 years respectively.

Audition Process

Giselle's path to SM Entertainment was unique and challenging. She passed the company's Saturday auditions, which are known to be the most difficult to succeed in. These auditions are open to the public, making the competition fierce and the chances of passing extremely slim. Giselle's success in this audition process makes her one of only seven artists in the past twenty years to have debuted after passing SM Entertainment's Saturday auditions.

Preparation for Debut

Before joining SM Entertainment, Giselle trained independently at AJS, a premier idol training academy. She joined AJS in October 2019 and passed her agency audition just two months later. SM Entertainment recognized Giselle's potential early on, as she was scouted in 2018 when the agency was in the early stages of developing the aespa project. Her fluency in multiple languages, including Japanese and English, as well as her strong vocal and dance abilities, made her a standout candidate for the group.

Debut with Aespa

Group Formation

On October 26, 2020, SM Entertainment announced its plans to debut a new girl group, marking the company's first such venture since Red Velvet in 2014 and its first overall idol group since NCT in 2016. The members of aespa were revealed individually from October 27 to 30, with Giselle being introduced on the final day. The group's name, aespa, combines 'AE' (Avatar X Experience) and 'aspect,' reflecting the unique concept envisioned by SM Entertainment.

Black Mamba Release

A video trailer featuring all four members was unveiled on November 2, 2020, alongside the announcement of aespa's debut single, "Black Mamba," set for release on November 17. The song, described as an electropop and dance-pop track, runs for two minutes and fifty-four seconds. Lyrically, "Black Mamba" introduces the group's concept, telling the story of a being that interferes with the members' connection to their avatars and threatens their world.

Initial Reception

Upon its release, "Black Mamba" achieved remarkable success. The music video garnered the highest number of views for a K-pop group's debut video in 24 hours, amassing 21.4 million views. Aespa made their broadcast debut on KBS2's Music Bank on November 20, performing "Black Mamba". The group's talent and unique concept quickly gained recognition, earning them their first music show win on SBS's Inkigayo on January 17, 2021.

"Black Mamba" received positive reviews from music critics and appeared in several publications' year-end lists as one of the best K-pop releases of 2020. Dazed magazine ranked the song at number 33, praising its clever setup of a new fantasy world story. The song was also featured on Paper's The 40 Best K-Pop Songs of 2020 list, described as "a safe fusion of pop and EDM with a bass-heavy hook and a sweeping bridge".

Musical Style and Abilities

Vocal Skills

Giselle possesses a strong and versatile singing voice, known for her powerful vocal delivery and wide range. She has the ability to smoothly transition between different vocal styles, showcasing her technical abilities and emotive performances. While she initially aimed to become a vocalist, Giselle now holds a sub-vocalist position within aespa. Her vocal skills demonstrate potential, with evidence of shallow support up to G4, although she still has room for improvement in maintaining consistent coordination throughout her singing.

Rap Abilities

As a rapper, Giselle has made a significant impact within SM Entertainment. She is considered one of the best female rappers in the company, showcasing impressive cadence and confidence in her delivery. Her rapping style is characterized by clear diction and smooth flow, particularly evident in aespa's tracks like "Savage" and "Iconic". Giselle's rap skills were first introduced in her SYNK video, where she personally wrote the lyrics in three different languages: Korean, English, and Japanese.

Songwriting and Composition

Giselle has demonstrated a keen interest in songwriting and composition. She has shared that she engages in a lot of songwriting, finding inspiration when listening to good songs. This creative spark motivates her to work on melodies and lyrics. Her ability to write in multiple languages is evident in her self-penned lyrics for her SYNK video. As aespa members gain more creative freedom, Giselle's songwriting skills are likely to play a more prominent role in the group's future releases.

Personal Characteristics

Personality Traits

Giselle possesses a unique blend of traits that make her a standout member of aespa. As an ISFP personality type, she exhibits a sensual and creative nature, often thinking outside the box. Her deeply-held values guide her decisions in life, and she has a preference for new experiences rather than meticulous planning. Giselle's gentle demeanor and empathy are evident to those around her, making her approachable and relatable.

As a Scorpio zodiac sign, Giselle has a certain charm and way with words. She listens intently when others speak, making them feel truly seen and understood. This trait contributes to her ability to form and maintain friendships easily. Additionally, Giselle is an Enneagram Nine personality type with an Eight wing, which makes her supportive, non-judgmental, and agreeable. She places a strong emphasis on maintaining harmony, both internally and externally, and has a calm presence that others find soothing.

Hobbies and Interests

Giselle's interests are diverse and reflect her multifaceted personality. She has a passion for music that extends beyond her role in aespa. For four years, Giselle was part of a choir as an alto, specifically in St. Mary's Choir. She can also play the guitar and has expressed a desire to improve her skills further.

Photography is another hobby that Giselle enjoys, with a particular fondness for taking pictures of other people, especially her fellow aespa members. When it comes to relieving stress, she turns to shopping and indulging in sweet treats. Giselle also has an interest in anime and collects figurines.

Her taste in entertainment is eclectic. Giselle enjoys listening to BLACKPINK and GOT7, and her favorite movie is Deadpool. She has a penchant for emo music and has been embracing the girly grunge aesthetics of early-aughts fashion.

Fashion Style

Giselle's fashion sense is as diverse as her personality. She has a particular affinity for the color black and enjoys a preppy look. However, her style is not confined to a single aesthetic. Giselle likes to experiment with various textiles and colors, expressing herself and her mood through a multitude of pieces.

Her wardrobe staples include sleeved tops, which she favors for light activities or casual days. Giselle also has a collection of sleeveless tops in muted colors for a clean and minimalist look. Skirts, particularly A-line styles, are among her favorite bottoms, complementing her height and leg structure. For a more casual look, she opts for straight-cut denim pants.

Giselle's love for outerwear is evident in her preference for fuzzy jackets and hooded jackets, which she wears even to formal events. This penchant for warm clothing stems from her tendency to get cold easily. To complete her looks, Giselle often accessorizes with hats of various colors and sizes, and she has a growing collection of rings from the brand Chrome Hearts.

Public Image and Reception

Fan Perception

Giselle has garnered a significant international fanbase, particularly among Western audiences. Her fans affectionately refer to her as the "ABG" (Asian Baby Girl) of aespa, recognizing her appeal to a global audience. As a fluent English speaker and the group's rapper, Giselle has found it easier to connect with international fans.

Despite her popularity, Giselle has faced some challenges in terms of recognition. While her fancams may not always garner as many views as those of Karina and Winter, her social media presence is strong, with her pictures often receiving the most likes and retweets on platforms like Twitter and Instagram.

Media Coverage

Giselle has been featured in prominent fashion magazines, showcasing her versatility as an idol and model. In August, she graced the cover of Elle Korea, where she reflected on her experiences during a Paris photo shoot and praised the LOEWE brand. This media exposure has helped to solidify her image as a fashion-forward and globally-minded artist.

In interviews, Giselle has emphasized aespa's unique strength in maintaining a consistent, clear concept while enjoying their distinctive worldview. She stated, "Every musician has their own unique color, but the consistency in showcasing and highlighting a clear concept is the strength that aespa possesses".

Comparisons to Other Idols

As is common in the K-pop industry, Giselle has been subject to comparisons with other idols. Some fans have noted similarities in appearance between Giselle and BLACKPINK's Rosé, particularly in their face shapes and certain facial features. However, upon closer inspection, differences in their eye sizes, face lengths, and chin shapes become apparent.

It's important to note that such comparisons are not uncommon in the K-pop industry due to similar styling or concepts. However, it's crucial to appreciate each idol for their individual talents and qualities. Giselle continues to carve out her own unique identity within aespa and the broader K-pop landscape.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

Awards and Nominations

Since their debut, aespa has garnered numerous accolades in the K-pop industry. The group has received three Korean Music Awards, four Melon Music Awards, four Golden Disc Awards, two MAMA Awards, and three Seoul Music Awards. Their remarkable success as newcomers was evident when they won the Rookie of the Year award at all major music awards in South Korea, including the Melon Music Awards, MAMA Awards, Golden Disc Awards, Seoul Music Awards, Circle Chart Music Awards, and Korean Music Awards.

In a significant achievement, aespa won the Song of the Year for "Next Level" at the 19th Korean Music Awards in March 2022, making them only the second girl group to receive this prestigious award. They also clinched the Artist of the Year award at the 2022 Golden Disc Awards, solidifying their status in the industry.

Chart Performance

Aespa has demonstrated impressive chart performance since their debut. Their single "Supernova" debuted at No. 5 on the World Digital Song Sales chart, marking their highest position since 2021's "Next Level". The song also rose to No. 19 on the Billboard Global 200, giving aespa their first Top 20 single.

The group's album "Drama: The 4th Mini Album" peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard 200. While this was a drop from their previous Top 10 entries, their latest release "Armageddon" shows promise to boost their position on the album charts.

Brand Endorsements

Giselle, a member of aespa, has secured a notable brand endorsement. She was announced as a new ambassador for LOEWE, a luxury fashion brand. Giselle attended the LOEWE 2024 Fall-Winter Pre-Collection Show in Paris as an official ambassador, where she posed with the brand's creative director Jonathan Anderson and sat in the front row alongside celebrities like Pharrell Williams, Emilia Clarke, and Meg Ryan. This endorsement highlights Giselle's growing influence in the fashion industry and aespa's expanding global presence.

Conclusion

Giselle's journey in the K-pop industry showcases her unique blend of talents and multicultural background. Her swift rise to fame as a member of aespa has a significant impact on the music scene, with her multilingual abilities and rap skills setting her apart. The group's innovative concept and chart-topping hits have cemented their position as rising stars in K-pop, while Giselle's personal charm and fashion sense have won her a dedicated fanbase.

As aespa continues to make waves in the industry, Giselle's role within the group and her solo endeavors are likely to evolve. Her songwriting skills and growing presence in the fashion world hint at a bright future ahead. With her determination and versatility, Giselle is well-positioned to leave a lasting mark on the K-pop landscape and inspire aspiring artists around the globe.