DIVE into IVE

Appearance

REI ​

Profile ​

Introduction Video ​

SHOW WHAT I HAVE

REI

Personal Background ​

Rei was born and raised in Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya, Japan. She has an older sister. Rei’s family has always supported her career, and she is known for her cheerful and positive personality. Her distinct personality, which includes being empathetic and a straight-talker, and her stage presence and vocal stability are also notable aspects of her being an idol.

Rei is multilingual, being fluent in Japanese and Korean, and has a good command of English. She often incorporates all three languages in her social media posts and interactions with fans. Rei is also a talented artist who has shared her drawings, including portraits of other idols like Red Velvet's Joy and her fellow member Liz.

She has a pet dog named "Porsche." She shares cute photos and videos of Porsche on her social media accounts and in her YouTube channel.

She graduated on February 10, 2022, from the School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA), the same school as Yujin and Wonyoung.

Career ​

Trainee and Pre-debut ​

Rei joined Starship Entertainment as a trainee in 2019 after moving from Japan to South Korea. She trained for about 2 years before debuting with IVE in December 2021. Rei is the first Japanese artist to debut under Starship Entertainment.

Debut with IVE ​

Rei is known for being the group's main rapper with unique vocals tone. As a lyricist, she has writing credits for her rap verses in various songs and has also written lyrics in Korean, English, and Japanese.

Follow Rei ​

Rei has her own solo YouTube web series called "Follow Rei," where she showcases her personal life, hobbies, and various activities. The series provides fans with a closer look at her personality and daily life outside of her idol activities. The series has been well-received, and fans appreciate the opportunity to see a more personal side of Rei.

Follow Rei

Paws in Paradise ​

Rei was a fixed cast member on JTBC's variety show "If You Leave Home, You'll Be Pampered" (Korean title: 집 나가면 개고생, also translated as Paws in Paradise). The show focuses on pets and their owners, and Rei's participation allowed her to showcase her love for animals and her caring nature.

Paws in Paradise

Paws in Paradise

Impact and Influence ​

Cultural Impact ​

For a long time, there was a trend for foreign idols in K-pop to assimilate as much as possible and appear "Korean." Rei, however, has been praised for openly embracing and showcasing her Japanese heritage. Through her content, she has shared aspects of Japanese culture, from discussing New Year's traditions to making Japanese character lunchboxes (kyaraben) and even teaching Japanese. This has been seen as a positive change in the industry, encouraging a more open and diverse representation of international members.

Redefining Beauty Standards and Style ​

Rei has contributed to a shift in K-pop's often rigid beauty and fashion standards. She is known for her unique and expressive style, which has resonated with a new generation of fans, particularly the "MZ Generation" (millennials and Gen Z) in Korea.

Distinctive Hair and Makeup: While many idols adhere to a specific visual archetype, Rei has stood out with her signature blunt bangs and different styling choices. When she has occasionally changed her look, such as with a slicked-back hairstyle or a sleek ponytail without her bangs, it has garnered significant attention and been seen as a bold, sophisticated move.

Unique Fashion Sense: Rei's personal fashion has been described as having a hip and modern sensibility. She is known for her ability to create a distinctive "layered look," even in warmer weather, by creatively combining different pieces. This has established her as a fashion icon for her generation.

A Multi-talented and Relatable Idol ​

Rei's impact extends beyond her style and heritage. Her multifaceted talents and personality have also played a role in her rise and influence.

Rap and Vocal Prowess: Despite a relatively short training period and limited initial knowledge of Korean, Rei has become a skilled rapper and singer with writing credits for her rap verses. Her hard work and talent have been recognized, showcasing her as a versatile artist.

Variety Show Presence: Rei is known for her captivating stage presence and her ability to be engaging and entertaining on variety shows, which is a key component of an idol's career in Korea.

Contributing to a Broader Trend of Diversity ​

Rei's success is part of a larger, ongoing trend where the K-pop industry is becoming more globally conscious and diverse. The inclusion and celebration of foreign members like Rei, and their respective cultures, is a significant shift from past practices. Her individual impact helps to normalize and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of idols, which in turn fosters a stronger connection with a global audience.

She is not just a popular idol; she is a cultural force who is helping to expand the boundaries of what it means to be a K-pop star. By confidently embracing her Japanese identity and showcasing her unique style and talent, she is influencing trends and challenging traditional norms in the Korean idol industry.

Trendsetting Poses and Visual Culture ​

Rei has indeed become a significant trendsetter for photo poses, especially among idols and fans in South Korea. This influence goes beyond just her personal style and touches on a broader cultural phenomenon.

Here's a breakdown of the impact of her signature poses:

  1. Popularizing Japanese "Gyaru" Poses Rei is credited with bringing specific Japanese poses, particularly from the "gyaru" (a Japanese subculture focused on fashion and beauty trends) aesthetic, into the mainstream of K-pop. The most notable example is the inverted peace sign. While the peace sign itself has a long history in both Western and East Asian cultures, the inverted version is a more recent trend. Rei's frequent use of this pose in selfies and photo cards sparked a viral trend, with other K-pop idols adopting it. This created a fun, cross-cultural exchange, where a Japanese trend was popularized in Korea by a Japanese idol, showing her role as a cultural bridge.

  2. The "Rei-ism" and "Kongsoonie" Poses Rei's influence extends to poses she has created herself, which have become known as "Rei-isms" or are associated with her nickname, "Kongsoonie." These poses are often playful and quirky, like the "ribbon pose" or the hand "V" sign held in a specific way. These poses are not just random gestures; they're expressions of her unique and bubbly personality.

Impact on Idol Culture: By creating and popularizing these new poses, Rei has added to the lexicon of idol photo-taking. In the often-structured world of K-pop, where idols are trained to present a certain image, Rei's creativity and individuality are refreshing. It encourages a more personal and spontaneous approach to fan interaction and public appearances.

Fan Engagement: The poses become a form of communication between Rei and her fans. DIVEs (IVE fans) love to copy her poses, share them on social media, and even ask other idols to do them, creating a fun and interactive fandom culture. This level of trend-setting reinforces her status as an influential figure.

  1. Fostering a More Diverse and Playful Image

In an industry that can be highly competitive and focused on a single, often polished image, Rei's trend-setting poses contribute to a broader shift. They show that an idol can be successful and beloved while being quirky and authentic. The popularity of her poses, which are a direct reflection of her personality, demonstrates that fans value genuine, unique traits rather than just a manufactured image. This cultural impact helps to diversify the kind of image that can succeed in K-pop, making room for more varied personalities and styles.

In summary, Rei is a trendsetter not just in fashion and music, but also in the subtle, yet powerful, realm of visual culture. Her signature poses have gone viral, demonstrating her influence on her peers and the broader K-pop fandom, and in doing so, they have become a symbol of her unique and authentic brand.

Hosting (MC) ​

  • Asia Star Entertainer Awards (ASEA) (2025): She was a host for the awards ceremony alongside THE BOYZ's Juyeon
  • Music Bank (2025): She served as a special MC for Music Bank on August 29, 2025. She co-host alongside ILLIT's Minju for the broadcast on KBS.

Endorsements ​

Ambassador and Muse Roles ​

Rei is a brand ambassador for several brands across various industries, including:

  • FULLY: A model for the Japanese Vegan skincare brand FULLY.
  • rom'u(ロミュ): A model for the Japanese a brand of colored contact lenses.
  • Luna: A model for the makeup brand Luna.
  • The Opening Project: A model for The Opening Project.
  • Pokemon Go Pocket: A model for Pokemon Go Pocket.

Previous ambassador roles include:

  • Peach C (2022–2023): A model for the Japanese makeup brand Peach C.
  • FCMM (2022–2023): Rei was the face of the fashion brand FCMM.

Magazine Covers ​

  • Vogue Korea X Crocs (September 2025 Issue)
  • Dazed Korea: Rei had a pictorial with the fashion brand Opening Project for the June 2025 issue of Dazed Korea.
  • KNIGHT Magazine China: Rei was featured on the cover of the July 2025 issue of KNIGHT Magazine China.
  • L'Officiel Singapore: She was the cover star for the June/July 2025 issue of L'Officiel Singapore, where she was styled in Polo Ralph Lauren and Prada.
  • Cosmopolitan Korea X KINKO (June 2025 Digital Issue)
  • SPUR Magazine: Rei was the cover model for the May 2025 issue.
  • Harper's BAZAAR Korea x Carlyn (May 2025 Issue)
  • Vogue Japan: She was featured cover for the December 2022 issue of Vogue Japan.

Campaigns and Brand Collaborations ​

  • Rei and Liz attended the Paris Fashion Week for the Maison Valentino Spring/Summer 2026 collection on October 5, 2025.
  • Rei along with Liz, attended the opening event for Maison Valentino's 2025 Fall Collection pop-up store in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on June 20.
  • Tod's: Rei attended the Tod's pop-up store opening event in Shinsegae Gangnam store in Seoul on June 4, 2025.
  • Longines: Rei and Liz attended a promotional event for Longines' Masters Collection in February 2025, they also attended another event for Longines in 2024.

Songwriting Credits ​

Rei has songwriting credits on several songs for IVE, often on the rap parts. These include:

Discography ​

Solo Work ​

Unreleased Single:

  • "Hiiigh 자작랩" (2021): A rap song that Rei wrote and performed before her debut with IVE. The song showcases her rap skills and unique style.

Vocal Covers ​

Dance Covers ​

Performance Covers ​

Filmography ​

Television Shows ​

  • JTBC's If You Leave Home, You'll Be Pampered (Korean title: 집 나가면 개고생, also translated as Paws in Paradise): Rei was a fixed cast member on this variety show about pets.
  • MBC's Where Is My Home? (2024): She was a guest on this show, which involves looking at houses.
  • Jeon Hyun-moo Plan 2 (2025): She appeared as a guest on an episode of this food and travel show to explore Japanese cuisine in her hometown.
  • Leemujin Service (2022, 2024): She appeared on this music show with Liz to perform a cover of "Love wins all."

Web Shows: ​

  • Follow Rei (2023-present): She has her own solo YouTube web series where she showcases her personal life and various activities.
  • IVE's Reality Shows: IVE's reality shows, such as 1, 2, 3 IVE, IVE ON, and IVE LOG.

Films ​

  • IVE 1st World Tour: Show What I Have (2024): A concert film capturing IVE's first world tour, this was shown in cinemas in many countries.

References ​

made with ❥ by DIVE

© 2025