Gaeul

Kim Ga-eul, known by her stage name Gaeul, was born on September 24, 2002, in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, South Korea. Her name literally means "autumn," reflecting the season of her birth — though she has noted with some irony that she personally prefers spring. From a young age she pursued both martial arts and dance, achieving a 3rd Dan black belt in Hapkido before her teenage years, a discipline that gave her extraordinary body control and physical conditioning. She dreamed of becoming a ballerina as a child and joined the dance club at Bupyeongseo Girls' Middle School.

In April 2017, during the preliminary round of the Incheon Youth Dance Competition, Gaeul was spotted by a Starship Entertainment scout watching in the audience. She was in her third year of middle school and had no idea scouts were present. She was invited to join Starship's trainee program and accepted, embarking on what would become the longest training period of any IVE member — approximately four and a half years. During this time she honed her dance technique, rap delivery, and stage presence extensively.

Gaeul was the second member revealed ahead of IVE's launch, announced on November 4, 2021. She debuted with IVE on December 1, 2021, establishing herself as the group's main dancer and lead rapper. Her technical dancing precision — credited in part to her martial arts background — set her apart as one of the strongest dancers in the fourth generation. Her solo track "Odd" from the IVE EP showcased her individual artistic voice.

Despite her disciplined martial arts background and reliable ISTJ personality, Gaeul is known within the group as the natural comedian and mood-maker. She earned the nicknames "Sloth" and "Grandma" for her love of lying in bed and her unhurried approach to leisure, a contrast with her intense focus during performances. She is an avid reader of mystery novels and a fan of horror films. Within the group she is regarded as the most hardworking and consistent practitioner, reflecting her long years of pre-debut training.