Giselle (aespa) | Main Rapper, Sub Vocalist

Giselle, born as Uchinaga Aeri on October 30, 2000, in Garosu-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea, has a unique multicultural background that sets her apart in the K-pop industry. She is ethnically half-Japanese and half-Korean, with her father being Japanese and her mother South Korean. This diverse heritage has played a significant role in shaping her identity and career.

One of Giselle's most remarkable attributes is her multilingual ability. She is fluent in three languages: Korean, Japanese, and English. Her language skills are a result of her international upbringing and education. Giselle attended Tokyo International School and later the International School of the Sacred Heart in Japan, where she honed her language abilities. Interestingly, while she is fluent in Japanese, she has requested Japanese fans to write to her only in Hiragana and Katakana, as she cannot read Kanji (Chinese characters).

In addition to her trilingual proficiency, Giselle has also studied French for a year and a half and has a basic understanding of the language. She also has some knowledge of Spanish, demonstrating her aptitude for languages.

Giselle's multicultural background has significantly influenced her personal and professional life. Growing up in a family with both Korean and Japanese roots, she has been exposed to diverse cultural elements from an early age. This unique upbringing has contributed to her versatility as an artist and her ability to connect with a global audience.

In her performances with aespa, Giselle has incorporated traditional Korean elements, showcasing her appreciation for her Korean heritage. She has also expressed her love for Korean food and culture, demonstrating how her background has shaped her interests and artistic expression.

Giselle's multicultural background not only enriches her personal life but also adds depth to her role as a K-pop idol, allowing her to bridge cultural gaps and appeal to a diverse fan base.

Giselle's educational journey reflects her multicultural background and has played a significant role in shaping her linguistic abilities and artistic talents. Her academic path has taken her through prestigious international schools in Japan, providing her with a global perspective and diverse skill set.

Giselle's early education began at Tokyo International School in Japan. This institution laid the foundation for her multilingual abilities, as she started learning English alongside her native Japanese and Korean. The international environment of the school exposed her to diverse cultures and educational approaches, contributing to her global outlook.

Following her time at Tokyo International School, Giselle transferred to the International School of the Sacred Heart in Japan. She graduated from this private school in Tokyo approximately two years before joining SM Entertainment. The International School of the Sacred Heart provided Giselle with a continuation of her English-language education, further solidifying her trilingual capabilities.

During her high school years, Giselle was an active participant in various extracurricular activities that nurtured her artistic talents. Most notably, she was a dedicated member of her school choir for four years, where she sang as an alto. This experience not only honed her vocal skills but also provided her with valuable performance experience.

In addition to her musical pursuits, Giselle demonstrated athletic prowess. She served as a representative athlete for her school in the high jump event during the 2017 Outdoor Season. This involvement in sports showcases her well-rounded abilities and commitment to diverse extracurricular activities.

Giselle's educational journey, combining rigorous academic studies with enriching extracurricular experiences, has significantly contributed to her development as a multifaceted artist and performer in the K-pop industry.

Giselle's musical influences are diverse and wide-ranging, reflecting her multicultural background and eclectic taste. She draws inspiration from various genres and artists, citing everyone from Stevie Wonder to Blink-182 to Ariana Grande as influences. Her taste leans particularly towards rock and R&B, showcasing her appreciation for different musical styles.

Interestingly, Giselle has recently embraced an "emo" vibe in her musical preferences. She admitted, "I like things that are emo," much to the amusement of her fellow aespa members. Giselle explained, "It's not that I intend to, but it turns out that the music I listen to or the styles that I like kinda have that emo vibe. And yeah, I came to know that very recently and it was kind of surprising".

Giselle's journey to becoming a K-pop idol began during her school years. She confessed that she wanted to become an artist from a young age, stating, "I was a student who tried singing, dancing, and acting". This early interest in performing arts laid the foundation for her future career in the music industry.

Her determination to pursue a career in music was evident in her actions following her high school graduation. Giselle revealed, "I came to Korea the next day after graduation. I just kept doing the audition. At the time, I was so determined". This commitment to her dream showcases her passion and dedication to becoming a K-pop idol.

Giselle's path to joining SM Entertainment, one of South Korea's "Big Three" entertainment agencies, was challenging and competitive. She participated in SM's Saturday open auditions, which are renowned for their high difficulty level and low passing rate. These auditions, held weekly for over 22 years, are open to all ages and attract a high volume of participants.

Giselle's persistence was key to her success. She auditioned multiple times, stating, "I auditioned. It was a Saturday open audition. I did it around four times in Korea". Her determination paid off on her fourth attempt, as she revealed, "If I didn't pass it, I would try another company".

After successfully passing the audition, Giselle's training period was remarkably short compared to industry standards. She explained, "Other trainees are usually trained for about four years. But as for me, it was only 11 months including the time I prepared for my debut (in aespa)". Despite the accelerated timeline, Giselle faced significant challenges, particularly in dance. She admitted, "When I became a trainee, I never danced properly. I learned it there for the first time. Every day from morning to early morning, I moved my body every day".

Giselle holds the position of Main Rapper and Sub-Vocalist in aespa. As the main rapper, she is considered to have the highest level of skill among girl group rappers of the same generation. Despite her primary role as a rapper, Giselle also contributes significantly to the group's vocal performances.

Giselle's vocal abilities complement her rapping skills, making her a versatile performer within aespa. She possesses a soft and warm tone, which distinguishes her from the other members' sharper and brighter voices. Her unique voice often stands out in the songs, particularly when she takes on parts that become key points alongside Karina.

In terms of vocal range, Giselle can maintain a stable sound from G#3 to Bb4. Her solid vocal fundamentals allow her to produce consistent vocals even during physically demanding performances. Notably, she is the member whose voice changes the least due to physical exhaustion.

As a rapper, Giselle has showcased her skills in multiple languages. In the group's debut teaser, she demonstrated her ability to rap in three different languages, earning praise for her Korean diction that did not reveal her foreign background. She often takes charge of the first part of the second verse or rap ad-libs in the middle of songs, turning these sections into memorable "killer parts".

Giselle's stage presence has been a topic of discussion among fans and critics. While some initially perceived her as nervous or lacking in facial expressions during performances, others have noted significant improvement over time. Her powerful raps command attention, and she has been praised for her ability to rock her center time.

One year after their debut, some observers found Giselle's stage presence to be the most improved among the group members. She has been described as eye-catching during performances, exuding charisma and fully embracing the song and concept. However, opinions on her stage presence remain varied, with some critics pointing out occasional choreography mistakes.

Despite these mixed reviews, Giselle's dedication to improvement is evident. Her hard work and rapid progress, considering her relatively short training period of just 11 months, have been acknowledged by fans and industry professionals alike.

Giselle's interests span a wide range of activities, reflecting her diverse personality. She has a passion for music that extends beyond her professional career. For four years, Giselle was an alto in a choir, demonstrating her early commitment to vocal performance. She also plays the guitar, showcasing her versatility as a musician.

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 BIGBANG, SNSD, and CL, and her favorite movie is Deadpool. She has a particular admiration for Ariana Grande, having attended her concerts multiple times in Japan. Interestingly, Giselle has expressed a liking for "emo things," adding another layer to her artistic sensibilities.

Giselle has formed close bonds with her fellow aespa members. She and Winter have a particularly playful relationship, referring to themselves as the "Dumb And Dumber Duo". This nickname suggests a comfortable and humorous dynamic between the two.

Despite initial perceptions of distance, Giselle has shown her caring nature towards her groupmates. In a YouTube video, she was seen buying food, beverages, and presents for the other members. She has also mentioned that despite being a foreigner and initially struggling with Korean, she didn't find it difficult to get close to the other girls.

While specific future aspirations are not explicitly stated in the provided information, Giselle has shown interest in expanding her artistic abilities. She has mentioned doing a lot of songwriting, saying that when she listens to good songs, there's a spark that makes her "want to make the melody and get the lyrics right". This suggests a potential interest in developing her skills as a songwriter and composer.

Giselle's multilingual abilities, including her proficiency in Korean, Japanese, English, and some knowledge of French and Spanish, position her well for potential international endeavors in the future. Her diverse skill set, including her strength in physical activities like chin-ups, also hints at a well-rounded approach to her career and personal development.

Giselle's journey in the K-pop industry showcases her unique blend of talents and multicultural background. Born to a Japanese father and Korean mother, she spent her childhood in Tokyo, attending international schools that honed her linguistic abilities. Her fluency in Korean, Japanese, and English, along with pre-intermediate levels of French and Spanish, sets her apart in the global K-pop scene.

Giselle's path to stardom was swift and unconventional. She was cast through SM Entertainment's Saturday Open Auditions, becoming one of only eight idols to debut through this challenging process. Her training period of just one year, including 11 months of preparation for debut, makes her the female idol under SM Entertainment with the shortest trainee period.

As a member of aespa, Giselle has contributed significantly to the group's success. Since their debut with "Black Mamba" in November 2020, aespa has achieved numerous milestones, including record-breaking album sales and chart performances. Giselle's rapping skills, first introduced in "SYNK, GISELLE," have become a crucial part of aespa's sound.

Beyond her musical talents, Giselle has shown interest in songwriting and composition. She has mentioned doing a lot of songwriting, finding inspiration when listening to good songs. This creative spark, combined with her diverse skill set and multicultural background, positions Giselle well for potential future endeavors in the international music scene.