aespa’s Giselle moves into Cheongdam’s Pie n Polus with 100 million KRW (about $77,000) deposit

According to exclusive coverage by Woman Sense, Giselle (birth name: Aeri Uchinaga), a member of the global girl group aespa, has recently registered a 100 million KRW (approximately $77,000) mortgage-backed lease at Pie n Polus, a luxury officetel located in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul.

Official real estate records confirm that Giselle registered the mortgage under her Japanese name on January 21, 2025. The unit is approximately 132 square meters in size and consists of three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Instead of a traditional leasehold right known as jeonse, she appears to have signed a monthly rental contract secured by a mortgage, a structure often used to ensure deposit protection.

Given the relatively low deposit amount compared to local market rates, real estate experts estimate that the monthly rent could be over 15 million KRW (about $11,500). Current listings on Naver Real Estate show similar units in Pie n Polus being rented for 11 million KRW (about $7,827) per month with a 2 billion KRW (about $1.54 million) deposit, or 3.5 million KRW (approximately $2,692) with a 3 billion KRW (about $2.14 million) deposit. Full-jeonse prices for comparable units are around 2.5 billion KRW (about $1.78 million).

Pie n Polus is one of the most exclusive residential buildings in Cheongdam-dong. It has been known as the residence or property of several high-profile figures including SM Entertainment’s founder Lee Soo Man, the late actress Choi Jin Sil, and Choi Soon Sil (now legally known as Choi Seo Won), a central figure in the 2016 South Korean political scandal. The building is located along Dosan-daero, between Cheongdam and Hakdong intersections, offering excellent access to nearby entertainment companies. It also houses premium facilities such as the SSG Market and Chaum Clinic.

Giselle debuted with aespa in 2020 and is a Japanese-American fluent in both English and Japanese. She plays a vital role in the group’s global strategy and has recently taken part in major collaborations, including a partnership with the video game Battlegrounds by Krafton. Given her busy international schedule, securing a stable and private residence like Pie n Polus seems to be a deliberate choice for both comfort and security.

Real estate professionals noted that when the deposit is relatively low, monthly rents are typically much higher. Although Giselle's exact rental terms are undisclosed, the 100 million KRW (approximately $77,000) maximum claim amount is considered highly favorable, possibly reflecting her celebrity status.