FIRST READ · MON 7 AM ETTHE WEEKEND LEXICON · SAT 9 AM ETRei
- Stage name
- Rei
- Born
- Feb. 3, 2004
- Hometown
- Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
- Position
- Rapper and vocalist
- Agency
- Starship
- Fandom
- DIVE
- Debut
- 2021
- Generation
- 4th gen
Rei is the Japanese member of the six-piece group IVE, which is managed by Starship Entertainment. She works as both a rapper and a vocalist, and she also writes and composes. In 2026 she stepped further into songwriting, with co-writing and co-composing credits on her solo track from the second full-length album REVIVE+. She is also set to record her first solo drama soundtrack song, for the series Dive Into You. Interviewers often describe her as the group's most online member.
Where they grew up
Rei was born in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. She entered the K-pop system by passing a Japanese audition held by Kakao M, called the Loen Friends Global Audition. After that she moved to South Korea on her own to train at a Korean agency, balancing practice with school. Her training lasted about three and a half years before she debuted with IVE in late 2021.
Birth details: global.topstarnews.net
Timeline
- 2018Passed the Loen Friends Global Audition in Japan
After succeeding in the Kakao M audition she joined a Korean agency as a trainee, beginning roughly three and a half years of training.
- 2021Debut with IVE
IVE debuted on December 1 with the single album ELEVEN.
- 2022Love Dive era and first European festival
IVE followed up with the single Love Dive in April, then played the KPOP.FLEX festival in Frankfurt. Rei and Gaeul wrote the rap for the B-side Royal.
- 2023First full-length album I've IVE
Rei has had parts on title tracks and B-sides since this album, including Kitsch, Either Way, Off The Record and Baddie.
- 2024First world tour wraps
IVE finished a tour covering 27 cities in 19 countries with two encore nights at KSPO Dome in Seoul.
- 2026REVIVE+ and co-written solo track
With the pre-release single Bang Bang and the second full-length album REVIVE+, Rei received co-lyricist and co-composer credits on her solo song In Your Heart.
- 2026Japanese activity: Fashion and LUCID DREAM
She promoted the Japanese pre-release single Fashion in April and the fourth Japanese EP LUCID DREAM in May, plus credits on two remix versions.
- 2026Show What I Am world tour
IVE's second world tour included a Los Angeles stop at the Kia Forum, with solo stages for each member.
- 2026First solo OST announced
Rei was chosen to sing on the soundtrack of the drama Dive Into You.
Latest
- Cover look after Looks Can Kill promotions
Rei posted pastel-styled profile photos on Instagram with the caption "bow boom", following her recent music promotions.
global.topstarnews.net - Show What I Am world tour
IVE brought the tour to the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, with a solo stage for each member. The group also filmed a Vevo Studios session in L.A. for the Bang Bang era.
hollywoodreporter.com - Second world tour North American dates
IVE was scheduled to play Oakland Arena on August 4 as part of the tour.
riffmagazine.com
Our coverage
IVE Breaks Into the Billboard 200 for the First Time as 'Looks Can Kill' Debuts at No. 126
The mini album also lands at No. 2 on World Albums and No. 6 on Top Album Sales, while IVE takes No. 1 on Emerging Artists.
IVE's Jang Won Young: Starship Launches Global Legal Action Over Malicious Posts
The agency says it has evidence from YouTube, X, DCinside, Weibo and TikTok and is working with the firm behind its Sojang suit.
A2O LITE's 'NEON' Completes Inkigayo Triple Crown With 11th Music Show Win
The debut single took first place with 6,037 points on the November 8 episode, beating IVE and ILLIT, on a bill that also included BLACKPINK's Jisoo.
A2O LITE's 'NEON' Claims 10th Music Show Win as IVE and ILLIT Give Chase
A2O LITE beat IVE and ILLIT for the trophy with 6,593 points, while RESCENE held No. 1 in November's girl group brand reputation rankings.
ILLIT Take Music Bank Trophy as 'You're Under Arrest' Scores 9,803 Points
The first trophy for the single came over IVE's "Looks Can Kill," with TWS, RIIZE, P1Harmony and NCT's Xiaojun also on the November 6 bill.
AND2BLE Score 2nd 'French Kissing' Trophy on 'Show Champion'
The group took the November 4 trophy over IVE, ILLIT, XLOV and A2O LITE, then performed both "Potion" and "French Kissing" on the broadcast.
A2O LITE's 'NEON' Wins Eighth 'Inkigayo' Trophy With 6,576 Points
A2O LITE's debut single beat IVE's "Looks Can Kill" and NMIXX's "Birthday Wish" for first place, and the group rolled out a fourth version of its 'NEON' intro choreography.
A2O LITE's 'NEON' Reaches Seven Wins, Edging IVE and NMIXX on Music Core
The MBC show's October 31 episode gave "NEON" 6,557 points against IVE's "Looks Can Kill" and NMIXX's "Birthday Wish."
Soundcheck Package: The K-pop VIP Tier That Gets You Into Rehearsal
From BTS' first 200,000-won sound check seats to 2026 U.S. tour stops: what the pre-show tier includes, what it costs and how to buy one.
What a K-pop Music Show Win Really Means, and How the Trophy Is Scored
From 82MAJOR's first trophy to Show Champion's published formula, here's what the weekly Korean TV prize measures and what it doesn't.
Lightstick, Explained: The Glowing Fan Gadget Behind the CORTIS Candlestick Debate
The concert light every K-pop fandom holds up now pairs with a phone, knows your seat and can start a design fight, as CORTIS found out this summer.
Gen, Explained: How K-Pop Sorts Its Idols Into Five Generations
From Seo Taiji and Boys in 1992 to RIIZE and ILLIT, the fan-made label that files K-pop into eras, and why the 5th gen line is still contested.
- lofficielsingapore.com: Cover Story: IVE's REI Speaks On Growth, Rebel Heart & ...
- riffmagazine.com: Q&A: IVE embraces confidence, connection and growth on ...
- musicmundial.com: IVE's Rei to release her first solo OST for the drama 'Dive ...
- teenvogue.com: IVE, K-Pop's Super Rookies, on New Music, Confidence ...
- global.topstarnews.net: IVE's Rei Shares a Pastel Look Following 'Looks Can Kill' ...
- hollywoodreporter.com: K-pop Girl Group IVE is Ready for Their Next Big Adventure
Last researched Nov. 12, 2026