Giselle

Biography

GISELLE is a Japanese-Korean singer, rapper, and dancer based in South Korea. She is a member of the South Korean girl group aespa, formed by SM Entertainment, where she performs as a main rapper and lead vocalist. Known for her charismatic rap style, lyrical delivery, and stage presence, GISELLE has been integral to aespa’s global rise.

Early Life and Education

GISELLE was born Aeri Uchinaga (内永 彩里; Uchinaga Aeri) on October 30, 2000, in Shizuoka, Japan to Korean parents. She holds both South Korean and Japanese citizenship, reflecting her multicultural background. During her youth, she lived and studied in Japan before moving to South Korea to pursue a music career.

She became interested in music and performance at a young age and later auditioned for SM Entertainment. GISELLE joined the company as a trainee, undergoing comprehensive training in rap, vocals, dance, and Korean language skills to prepare for her future debut. Her multicultural upbringing and language abilities helped shape her artistic identity within the group.

Career

Debut with aespa (2020–Present)

GISELLE was officially introduced as the third member of aespa by SM Entertainment on October 27, 2020. She debuted with the group on November 17, 2020 alongside KARINA, WINTER, and NINGNING with the digital single Black Mamba. The song achieved significant commercial success and paved the way for aespa’s rapid rise in the K-pop industry.

aespa’s narrative and concept revolve around the group’s real-world personas and AI avatars (æ), positioning them at the forefront of SM Entertainment’s innovative approach to music and storytelling in the digital era.

Controversies

Upon SM Entertainment’s announcement of Giselle as aespa’s fourth member, she faced backlash, with some questioning her short training period and criticizing her appearance. Allegations surfaced online regarding her past, including claims of delinquency and substance abuse. However, a childhood friend defended her, attributing her lack of contact with Japanese friends to a busy schedule. The friend also dismissed party photos as manipulated. Concrete evidence supporting either side is yet to emerge.

Furthermore, Giselle’s family background has also become a hot topic on social media. Some users rediscovered a post showing renowned journalist Cho Joo Hee thanking her granddaughter named Aeri (matching Giselle’s real name) for sending a cake from Tokyo, Japan. The coincidence of name and location sparked rumors that Giselle is Cho’s relative, a significant figure in the Korean entertainment industry and a long-time rumored partner of the SM Entertainment chairman. This detail added fuel to the speculation that Giselle’s debut was facilitated by her family connection.

In October 2021, Giselle once again became the center of criticism when she became embroiled in a controversy involving racial discrimination. In a behind-the-scenes clip of aespa dancing and singing along to the song “Love Galore,” as the only one who knew the lyrics, Giselle casually sang along but failed to realize she sang a line containing the “N-word.”

Not long after one controversy, a topic about Giselle continues to attract attention on Korean social media. Netizens are debating a detail in a Vogue video where aespa visits New York at the Empire State Building. Giselle was seen holding her phone, looking down, and saying, “I would die if my phone drops.”