In the August issue of ELLE Korea, GISELLE shines with an incredible interview where she shares her reflections on the music world and the special influence of fans on her journey. In addition to the interview, you’ll be captivated by a stunning photoshoot of GISELLE, set in a summer scene that highlights her elegance and charm.

We met right after the successful activities of aespa’s ‘Armageddon’
Since it was our first full-length album, I felt the strong unity and dedication from everyone throughout the process. I was pleased with the results as much as we had prepared, and I was eager to share it with our fans, MY.
They continue to move forward without a break. On July 3rd, they made their debut in Japan with ‘Hot Mess’. For Giselle, who grew up in Japan, this must be especially meaningful
Since this is our first major activity in Japan, I feel a strong sense of responsibility. I’m working hard to use Japanese as much as possible. The concept and song are quite different from the images we’ve shown before, so I think fans will enjoy it in a new way.
I heard that two additional shows at the Tokyo Dome have been added to aespa’s second world tour schedule, which started in Seoul on June 29
Yes! Given the great love we’ve already received, I hope aespa‘s official debut in Japan feels like a special gift.
The first world tour was an epic journey across 21 cities from February to September last year. How will that experience reflect in this tour?
We had a special experience spending several months abroad, including performances in North America, South America, and Europe. This time, we have more shows per city and various events planned, so I’m excited that we’ll be able to connect with fans more closely during the performances. I also have some personal little TMI that I realized from the last world tour.
Oh, I’m curious!
I realized that shoes are important to me (laughs). I don’t want to be restricted by my outfits, so moving forward, I’ll be very careful in choosing my shoes for concerts and performances.
So, how were the LOEWE shoes you wore today? The heel looks unusual, so it didn’t seem very comfortable (laughs)
Oh, no. They were surprisingly comfortable. I was actually quite surprised by how comfortable they were.
You mentioned that you’re so interested in fashion that you might have become a fashion designer if you had chosen a different path. This is already your second show with Loewe. How would you describe the synergy between you and LOEWE?
LOEWE is like a ‘pursuit of dreams’ in my life. When someone prefers a particular brand, you can often gauge what kind of person they might be. But LOEWE, rather than showcasing the brand itself, highlights the individual’s identity. The brand has a unique and powerful strength of its own.
Would you say that it enhances the ‘Giselle effect’ (laughs)?
I basically enjoy ‘digging’ into things, and I like that LOEWE offers many elements for that. As one of the early houses of the LVMH group, it has a rich history and is closely connected to the arts through the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize. Its deep history allows me to delve into it like I do with music.
In March, you met with ELLE at a mansion in Paris, and today you enjoyed the summer in Seoul in the garden of a single-family home. Are you influenced by the seasons?
Absolutely, yes! The warm weather today allowed me to strike poses more comfortably. But more than anything, what’s most important is who you’re with. The people you are with are the most important.
I was actually quite surprised when I saw the first regular album of aespa. It had been a long time since an album included the names of everyone who contributed in the ‘Thanks to’ section.
It was a natural thing to do. Both my and the members’ opinions were heavily reflected, and we all strongly shared the motivation to do our best. We were given such opportunities, and since it’s something we couldn’t achieve without each other, we always have a fundamental sense of gratitude.
I was also impressed by the ‘aespa salon’ where the members would touch up the staff’s hair and makeup in the waiting room from ‘Supernova’ to ‘Armageddon’ (laughs)
All of us members enjoy doing things that make us laugh. Even though we sometimes fall asleep from exhaustion together, when we’re not tired, we try to find and watch one more video or use it as an excuse to chat, always trying to keep our energy up. Being with lively members makes me feel energized as well. It’s really something I’m grateful for.
If the members have recently expressed gratitude to Giselle, it might be because:
We all find it quite awkward to talk about these things with each other! But I guess they might appreciate the everyday care I provide (laughs). I believe that showing consideration when we have the mental space for it helps us enjoy our time together and stay together for a long time.
Watching the behind-the-scenes footage of the ‘Armageddon’ recording, I felt a strong sense of the song’s and aespa’s appeal. What do you think is the biggest musical strength of aespa in their fourth year since debut?
Everyone in music has their own unique color, but I feel that our concept is particularly well-defined. Not only visually, but also with our use of synth sounds and unique lyrical expressions, which make us stand out. Armageddon aligns well with aespa’s world view. We really enjoy this world view. By understanding the concept, people end up liking and enjoying it even more than they might expect! We also have inside jokes, where we tease each other about various settings and elements (laughs). That’s just us.
If you were to meet an alien in real life, as depicted in the music video for this activity, would you want to be friends with them?
Wow! It would feel like fulfilling a dream I’ve had since I was a child. It would be great to realize that humans are not the end of existence and that humanity is just a small part of the world. I’d also be excited to gain information about a new world.
What information would you want to obtain?
Do you have a family too? How were you born? Are there other alien friends like you who have come here as well? Do you know anything about our world? And of course, I’d ask, ‘Where did we come from?’
How was the experience of participating in the new Bolbbalgan4 song ‘Lips’ as a featured artist and contributing to the rap making?
I was surprised and grateful. While you might know that GISELLE is a member of aespa, I didn’t expect that my vocal tone would be considered so closely, so receiving the offer itself was very exciting. Initially, there were rap lyrics already written, but they said I could rewrite them if I wanted, so I did. I tend to write top lines relatively quickly.
Giselle recently appeared in a YouTube series with the Seoul Tourism Organization, exploring landmarks like Hannam-dong and ‘The House of Seoul’. What does Giselle think is attractive about Seoul?
Knowing that the content was about showcasing Seoul from the perspective of someone who has lived abroad for a long time, I felt that I needed to present myself as a ‘Korean senior’ (laughs). From what I know, Korea is a country where trends are very distinct. Of course, Japan is similar, and there are ‘hot spots’ all over the world, but Seoul has this explosive ‘pop!’ ‘pop!’ feeling. And that, from the viewer’s perspective, is extremely dopamine-inducing. Seeing people enjoy trends and content right at that moment makes it seem fun even if I’m not there in person.
From an artist’s perspective, the rapid cycle of trends might be a concern
Yes, that’s right. As a player who sets trends, it’s natural to worry about how long people will continue to talk about aespa and remain interested in our music. But I believe it’s okay as long as we do well. Showing good songs and high-quality performances is the most important thing.
Popular appeal and a devoted fanbase can be a different aspect as well
Through our fans, we actually realize our own identity. Everyone tends to be a bit lost when they debut. K-pop groups have distinct concepts, and their characters are gradually shaped by identifying their positions, personalities, and visual traits. Fans play a significant role in this process. Their reactions serve as references or guidance, helping us discover what suits us best.
Is the reason for this analytical perspective because Giselle wasn’t an early trainee under the influence of K-pop?
It definitely feels like the presence and uniqueness of K-pop are more tangible. While I grew up listening to songs by artists like Girls’ Generation and 2NE1, I wasn’t immersed in the Korean music scene from a young age. This might be a bit philosophical, but idols start presenting themselves from a young and immature stage, so it’s natural to have clumsy aspects. Fans, however, may prefer perfection but also love artists more for their imperfections. Since debuting, I’ve felt that love and influence more deeply. I believe that fans are half of what makes K-pop what it is.
As someone who has a significant impact on others, what advice would you give to peers or younger girls?
Hmm… I would say to love yourself. Unconditionally! Loving yourself is essential for being able to love others, understand what you want, and pursue your goals. If there are reasons why it’s hard to love yourself, you should try to change or overcome those reasons. I believe that the more you become rational, the more you can also love. Even if you don’t like some of your traits, don’t shrink or feel depressed about it. There’s no need for that. I truly want to say, “Just love yourself.”
If you were to give yourself a perfect score, like the lyrics in ‘Spicy’ that say ‘Cause I am a 10 out of 10 honestly,’ which part of yourself would you give a 10?
Wow, that’s a really tough question. Still, I think I would give today’s photoshoot a 9.

On July 25, GISELLE made a presence at the inauguration of the CASA LOEWE in Seoul, enchanting everyone with her elegance and beauty. The event celebrated the first standalone LOEWE store in Korea, and GISELLE, with her charm and sophistication, stood out among the guests.

GISELLE will be featured in ELLE (Korea) april issue. The photos were taken in Paris with LOEWE, this is the first official photoshoot since GISELLE was announced as the brand’s ambassador.

Earlier on March 1, GISELLE has been announced as new ambassador for the Spanish luxury brand LOEWE. She also attended the LOEWE Womenswear Fall/Winter show as part of Paris Fashion Week.