1. Biography
- Real Name: Lee Chae-rin (이채린)
- 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
- Instagram: @chaelincl
- X: @chaelinCL
2. Early Life and Background
Born in Seoul, CL spent much of her childhood living internationally in Paris, Tsukuba, and Tokyo. At age 13, she moved to Paris alone and studied there for two years. Her multicultural upbringing significantly influenced her artistic perspective, with CL noting, “Culturally, I’m not 100 percent Korean. I’m very mixed, and very open.” At age 15, she auditioned for YG Entertainment, marking the beginning of her 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, she debuted as the leader and main rapper of 2NE1, which became one of the most successful K-pop girl groups globally. Her solo career launched in 2013 with “The Baddest Female,” followed by significant releases like “Hello Bitches” (2015) and “Lifted” (2016), the latter making her the first female 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 2NE1’s reformation 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. Her influence extends beyond music into the fashion industry, where she 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 publicly confirmed throughout her 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 noticed that the background track resembled a recitation of verses from the Quran. While CL apologized and the song was edited, the incident led to backlash and accusations of disrespect towards Islam.
7. Achievements and Awards
CL’s achievements include ranking 2nd and 25th on Time’s Most Influential People readers polls (2015, 2016), being listed on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2019), and being named amongst the 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 power list. In 2021, she became the first K-pop female artist 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 Prize, alongside industry icons like Naomi Campbell and Suzy Menkes.
