1. Biography
- Artist Name:
- Real name: Lee Chae-rin
- Stage name: CL
- Date of birth: February 26, 1991
- Country of origin: South Korea (Seoul)
- Field of activity: rapper, singer, songwriter, fashion icon
- Notable for: leader of 2NE1, successful solo career, fashion influence
- SNS:
- Instagram: @chaelincl
- X: @chaelinCL
2. Early life and context
Born in Seoul, CL spent much of her childhood living internationally in Paris, Tsukuba and Tokyo. At the age of 13 she moved alone to Paris and studied there for two years. Her multicultural upbringing significantly influenced her artistic perspective, with CL noting, “Culturally, I’m not 100% Korean. I’m very diverse and very open.” At the age of 15, he auditioned for YG Entertainment, marking the beginning of his career in the entertainment industry.
3. Career
CL’s journey began with appearances on Big Bang’s “Intro (Hot Issue)” in 2007 and Uhm Jung-hwa’s “DJ” in 2008. In 2009, he debuted as the leader and main rapper of 2NE1, who are became one of the most successful K bands. -pop girl groups globally. Her solo career began in 2013 with “The Baddest Female”, followed by significant releases such as “Hello Bitches” (2015) and “Lifted” (2016), the latter making her the first Korean solo artist to enter the Billboard Hot 100.
After leaving YG Entertainment in 2019, she released her EP project “In the Name of Love” and her debut studio album “Alpha” in 2021. In 2024, she returned to group activities with the reformation of 2NE1 under YG Entertainment.
4. Style and influence
CL’s artistic style combines hip-hop, dance and electronic elements with a unique approach to fashion. Known for her charismatic stage presence and bold fashion choices, she has been recognized as a style icon by numerous international publications. His influence extends beyond music and into the fashion industry, where he has collaborated with renowned designers and brands such as Jeremy Scott, Alexander Wang and Jean Paul Gaultier.
5. Personal life/dating news
No official relationships have been confirmed publicly during his career. CL has maintained a relatively private personal life while remaining active in both the music and fashion industries.
6. Scandals/Controversies
In 2014, CL’s song “MTBD” sparked controversy when some listeners noted that the background track resembled a recitation of verses from the Quran. Although CL apologized and the song was changed, the incident led to backlash and accusations of disrespect towards Islam.
7. Results and awards
CL’s achievements include placing 2nd and 25th in Time’s Most Influential People readers’ polls (2015, 2016), being named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list (2019), and being named one of best girl group members by The Guardian. She made history as the first female K-pop idol to appear on Hypebeast’s list of 100 Influential People in Fashion and the BoF 500 Fashion Industry Powers List. In 2021, she became the first female K-pop artist -pop to attend the Met Gala. Her influence has inspired numerous artists, including members of Blackpink, Loona, (G)I-dle and even Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim, who listens to CL’s music before competing.
In fashion, she became the first Korean brand ambassador for Ivy Park, and in 2024 made history as the first K-pop artist to join the expert committee for the LVMH Grand Prix, alongside industry icons such as Naomi Campbell and Suzy Menkes.
The post CL: A Profile (updated 2024) appeared first on KBIZoom. KBIZoom – Latest news on K-pop, K-drama, Anime/Manga and world entertainment KBIZoom – Latest news on K-pop, K-drama, Anime/Manga and world entertainment
