From Dance Competitions to K-pop Stardom: Gaeul's Journey

Gaeul's path to K-pop stardom began with her early dreams of becoming a ballerina. Her natural talent for dance led her to participate in numerous competitions, where she consistently showcased her exceptional abilities.

In April 2017, during her third year of middle school, a pivotal moment occurred at the Incheon Youth Dance Competition. While focused on her performance, Gaeul noticed someone watching her intently but continued her routine without distraction. After the competition, she received her first entertainment company offer, which she had to decline due to her parents' concerns.

However, this setback led to a crucial agreement with her parents: if she got scouted again within a year, they would support her dreams. Fortune favored her persistence when Starship Entertainment discovered her at another competition, leading to her accepting their offer with her parents' blessing.

At Starship Entertainment, Gaeul embarked on a comprehensive four-year training journey. The training program went beyond traditional performance skills, including unique aspects such as:

• Specialized selfie-taking classes to perfect their social media presence

• TikTok content creation training for enhanced online engagement

• Intensive dance and performance workshops

During her trainee period, Gaeul demonstrated exceptional dedication, spending countless hours honing her technique and mastering various dance styles. Her unwavering determination caught the attention of her mentors, who recognized her raw potential beneath the surface. Through rigorous training sessions and impeccable discipline, she transformed from an overlooked trainee into an exceptional performer.

This dedication culminated in her debut with IVE on December 1, 2021, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her journey from competitive dancer to K-pop idol. Her evolution from a passionate dancer in Incheon to a member of one of K-pop's prominent groups showcases the power of persistence and dedication.

Behind the Stage: Gaeul's Unique Personality Traits

Behind IVE's polished performances lies Gaeul's multifaceted personality that adds depth to the group's dynamic. Despite being just 21 years old, her mature and dependable nature has earned her the endearing nickname 'grandma' from her fellow members.

The 'grandmother' of IVE

As the eldest member of IVE, Gaeul embraces her role with a unique blend of wisdom and care. Her approach to leadership reflects her desire to be "a sturdy pillar" for her members, creating a supportive environment where her younger colleagues can freely express themselves. Her nurturing nature manifests in her detailed explanations and careful attention to her members' needs.

Her ISTJ personality influence

Gaeul's ISTJ personality type, known as "The Logistician," shapes her methodical approach to both leadership and performance. Her personality traits include:

• Strong sense of duty and responsible work ethic

• Detail-oriented nature with careful planning

• Rational outlook with integrity in actions

These characteristics make her particularly effective in maintaining group stability, as she approaches challenges with a systematic mindset and unwavering determination.

Balancing leadership and humor

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Gaeul's personality is her ability to balance serious leadership with playful humor. While maintaining her role as a dependable leader, she's also known as IVE's "jokester" and "laugh maker". This duality in her character creates a unique dynamic within the group, where she can switch effortlessly between providing guidance and bringing levity to situations.

Her ISTJ traits contribute to her balanced approach, allowing her to maintain composure while still engaging in moments of humor. This combination has made her particularly effective in fostering a positive group environment, where both work and enjoyment coexist harmoniously. Her leadership style is characterized by consistency and fairness, treating all members equally while maintaining the group's professional standards.

Gaeul's Hidden Talents Beyond Performance

While many know Gaeul as IVE's talented dancer and leader, her artistic abilities extend far beyond the stage. Her dedication to developing multiple facets of her artistry reveals a deeply creative individual constantly pushing her boundaries.

Self-written rap lyrics

Gaeul's passion for rap music runs deep, as she frequently listens to the genre in her free time. Her commitment to rap goes beyond mere appreciation; she's actively working on expanding her capabilities in both rap and vocals to showcase new dimensions of her artistry. Her authentic approach to rap writing stems from her genuine connection to the genre and desire for self-expression.

Contribution to IVE's songs

Her songwriting journey reached a significant milestone with IVE's first studio album, "I've IVE," where she, along with other members, received songwriting credits. Working closely with their rap teacher, Gaeul collaborated extensively on lyric development. This experience has fueled her ambition to delve deeper into songwriting, with hopes of eventually showcasing her own composed songs.

Creative interests outside music

Beyond her musical pursuits, Gaeul maintains a diverse array of creative interests that showcase her multifaceted personality. Her artistic endeavors include:

• Culinary arts: She often cooks for her fellow members in their dorm

• Photography: She has a unique habit of capturing poetic verses that resonate with her

• Language learning: She's committed to studying international languages to better connect with global fans

Her creative spirit extends to gaming as well, with a particular fondness for Nintendo's Animal Crossing. This mix of artistic and recreational pursuits demonstrates her well-rounded approach to personal development, constantly seeking new ways to express herself and connect with others.

Gaeul's commitment to growth is evident in her ongoing preparation to reveal new aspects of her artistry. Her versatility as a performer continues to evolve, making her an increasingly valuable contributor to IVE's creative direction.

The Evolution of Gaeul's Performance Style

Since her debut with IVE, Gaeul's performance style has undergone a remarkable transformation, blending technical precision with artistic expression. Her journey reflects a continuous evolution across multiple performance aspects, making her a versatile artist in the K-pop industry.

Dance style development

Gaeul's dance technique has evolved to incorporate various styles, showcasing her versatility as IVE's main dancer. Her approach combines:

• Contemporary dance fluidity

• Hip-hop power moves

• Street dance influences

• Precise isolations and control

Her performances in songs like "Love Dive" demonstrate her mastery of sharp shoulder and chest isolations, while maintaining graceful transitions. Her dynamic style has earned recognition, including the "Female Idol Dance Award" at the 2023 K-Global Heart Dream Awards.

Rap technique progression

A significant milestone in Gaeul's artistic journey came with her rap debut in the title track "After LIKE," marking her first rap appearance beyond B-side tracks. Her dedication to improvement shows in her approach to rap, as she expressed both gratitude and determination to enhance her skills following the song's success. She continues to undergo extensive preparation to showcase new dimensions of her rap abilities.

Stage presence transformation

Gaeul's stage presence has evolved dramatically since debut, particularly evident during IVE's recent performances. At Lollapalooza 2024, she demonstrated her refined performance skills through eleven live tracks, maintaining unwavering stamina and professionalism. Her transformation is particularly notable in her confidence level, as she acknowledges her own growth journey: "Before my debut, I wasn't as confident in myself," reflecting on how she now enjoys performing and channels that energy to connect with fans.

Her performances are characterized by an ability to adapt to different concepts, from the powerful energy in "I AM" to the sophisticated charm in "After LIKE". Her stage maturity shines through in her ability to maintain eye contact with audiences while executing complex choreographies, a skill developed through extensive touring experience.

Inside IVE's Dynamic: Gaeul's Role

Within the dynamic world of IVE, Gaeul's presence extends far beyond her official roles, creating a unique atmosphere of support and dedication. During their groundbreaking Lollapalooza performance, her commitment to the team shone through as she expressed, "We practiced a lot during rehearsals, so I'll set aside my worries and just enjoy the stage".

Relationship with younger members

As the eldest member of IVE, Gaeul maintains a calm and steady presence that helps ground the group. Her fellow member Yujin describes her as "a calm person who works hard without mood swings". This stability proves particularly valuable during high-pressure situations, such as their international performances where her composed demeanor helps ease the younger members' nerves.

Support system within the group

The group's support system reflects a beautiful blend of mutual respect and understanding. During their pre-debut days, the members worked through initial awkwardness to build genuine connections. Their dedication to practice and daily interactions helped strengthen their teamwork, creating a natural bond that extends beyond the stage. Some key aspects of their support system include:

• Regular group practice sessions for synchronization

• Open communication during performance preparations

• Celebration of each other's achievements

Behind-the-scenes leadership

While Yujin serves as the official leader, Gaeul's behind-the-scenes contributions are equally significant. Her experience as a former trainee group leader provides valuable insights during practice sessions. During their Lollapalooza preparation, she demonstrated this leadership through:

Practical Support: Working tirelessly with other members during rehearsals, focusing on perfecting their performance. Emotional Guidance: Maintaining a positive atmosphere by encouraging members to "just enjoy the stage". Technical Excellence: Contributing to the group's synchronized performances through dedicated practice.

Her approach to leadership reflects her ISTJ personality, treating everyone equally and maintaining a consistent, reliable presence. This steadfast support system has proven crucial in IVE's journey, particularly during significant moments like their first-year grand prize victory, where Gaeul humbly acknowledged, "We knew the weight of the award and vowed to work harder".

Lesser-Known Habits and Preferences

Beyond the spotlight, Gaeul's personal interests and daily habits paint a picture of an introspective artist who finds joy in life's quieter moments. Her unique combination of interests reveals a personality that balances intensity with tranquility.

Mystery novel enthusiasm

Despite her busy schedule as IVE's main dancer, Gaeul maintains a passionate relationship with literature, particularly detective novels. Her love for reading extends beyond casual entertainment, as she often documents meaningful passages, specifically taking photographs of poems that resonate with her. This habit reflects her thoughtful nature and appreciation for written artistry.

Horror movie appreciation

In an interesting contrast to her calm demeanor, Gaeul has earned the self-proclaimed title of "horror mania". Her enthusiasm for the genre manifests in several ways:

• Regularly watches horror movies with fellow member Rei

• Can dedicate up to six hours straight to movie marathons when time permits

• Expresses interest in visiting horror-themed escape rooms with group members

What makes this interest particularly fascinating is that despite being naturally timid, she consistently seeks out horror content. This paradox showcases her ability to push beyond comfort zones, a trait that serves her well in her professional career.

Daily routines and quirks

Gaeul's daily life is characterized by a blend of structured habits and endearing quirks. She finds solace in taking hot baths in the dorm's master bathroom, creating moments of peaceful reflection amid her hectic schedule. When not performing or practicing, she prefers activities that help her conserve energy, often choosing to lay in bed.

Her approach to relaxation is equally methodical, involving: Quiet contemplation: She enjoys finding peaceful spaces to read and reflect Tea ceremonies: Taking time to savor tea while unwinding Solitary walks: Using these moments for personal reflection

One of her most distinctive habits is her characteristic eyebrow raise during serious moments, a quirk that has become endearing to fans and fellow members alike. This subtle expression has become something of a signature, adding to her unique charm within IVE.