CL (2NE1) Lee Chae-rin
Who is Lee Chaerin (CL)?
Lee Chae-rin, born February 26, 1991, known professionally by her stage name CL, is a South Korean rapper, singer, and songwriter. Born in Seoul, she spent much of her early life in Japan and France before returning to pursue a music career. CL rose to prominence as the leader of the girl group 2NE1, which debuted in 2009 under YG Entertainment and became one of the most popular and best-selling girl groups worldwide.
CL trained at JYP Entertainment before joining YG Entertainment at age fifteen. As a solo artist, she debuted with the single "The Baddest Female" in May 2013. Her 2016 single "Lifted" marked a milestone as CL became the first female Korean solo artist to place in the Billboard Hot 100, and the third Korean artist overall to achieve this distinction.
Following 2NE1's disbandment in November 2016 after nearly two years of hiatus, CL remained under YG Entertainment until her contract expired in November 2019. She subsequently released her solo EP "In the Name of Love" in December 2019 and her debut studio album "Alpha" in October 2021. After 2NE1 reformed in July 2024, CL resumed group activities under YG Entertainment's umbrella while maintaining her solo career under Very Cherry and Schoolboy Records.
Lee Chaerin's Early Life and Background
Childhood and Family
Lee Chae-rin's formative years were characterized by extensive international exposure due to her family's relocations. Born in Seoul, she spent significant portions of her childhood in Tsukuba and Tokyo, Japan, before relocating to Paris. Her father, Lee Ki-jin, works as a physics professor at Sogang University and writes children's books, while her mother, Hong Yu-ra, is a potter. She has a younger sister, Lee Hae-rin, who has remained outside the public sphere. At thirteen, she moved to Paris alone, where she studied for two years. This multicultural upbringing led her to reflect that culturally, she is not entirely Korean but rather mixed and open.
Education and Language Skills
Lee Chae-rin attended Tsukuba International School during her time in Japan and later Seoul International School. Her international education fostered multilingual proficiency in Korean, Japanese, English, and French. Following her decision to focus entirely on training, she obtained all three GEDs for elementary, middle, and high school with six-month intervals between examinations before her debut.
Training Period
At fifteen, Lee Chae-rin auditioned for YG Entertainment and joined as a trainee in late 2006. During her second year of high school, she maintained a demanding schedule, attending school from morning until 3 PM, then practicing until one or two in the morning. After sustaining this routine for a year, she decided to drop out and concentrate solely on training. Her father supported this decision immediately, trusting her judgment.
CL's Music Career and Achievements
2NE1 Era
Her first credited appearance occurred in 2008 with Uhm Jung-hwa's "DJ". 2NE1 officially debuted on May 6, 2009, with the single "Fire". The group achieved nine number-one singles on the Gaon Digital Chart by the end of 2014, becoming the group with the most number-one singles in South Korea. Their album "Crush" peaked at number 61 on the Billboard 200 in 2014, setting a record as the highest-charting Korean pop album at the time. "I Am The Best" topped Billboard's World Digital Songs chart after 84 weeks, making 2NE1 the second Korean act to achieve this after Psy. The group sold over 66 million digital and physical records worldwide.
Solo Career
Lee Chae-rin released her Korean solo debut "The Baddest Female" on May 28, 2013. Her American debut single "Lifted" was released on August 19, 2016, peaking at number 94 on the Billboard Hot 100. She became the first female Korean solo artist to appear on this chart. Following her departure from YG Entertainment in November 2019, she released the EP "In the Name of Love" in December 2019. Her debut studio album "Alpha" was released on October 20, 2021.
Notable Collaborations
She collaborated with will.i.am on "Gettin' Dumb" in 2013. In May 2015, she featured on Diplo's single "Doctor Pepper" alongside Riff Raff and OG Maco. She worked with the Black Eyed Peas on "Dopeness" in 2018. Additional collaborations include Skrillex's "Dirty Vibe" in 2014, Psy's "Daddy" in 2015, and Epik High's "Rosario" in 2021.
Songwriting and Production Credits
For 2NE1's album "Crush," she wrote lyrics and co-composed music for "Crush," "If I Were You," and "Baby I Miss You". She wrote lyrics for her solo track "MTBD" and the track "Scream". She penned 2NE1's final single "Goodbye" after member Minzy's departure. Her songwriting credits extend across her solo discography, including writing for "The Baddest Female," "Hello Bitches," and tracks from "Alpha".
CL's Personal Life and Interests
Hobbies and Preferences
Outside professional commitments, she maintains daily solitary routines including walks along Seoul's Namsan path, baths, and solo coffee visits without phones or external connections. Her television preferences include sitcoms Friends and Modern Family, which she watches to balance her dramatic daily life. She frequents Olive Young for makeup products, particularly waterproof eyeliners suitable for performances. Her beauty regimen incorporates pigskin collagen masks, manuka honey mixed with matcha powder for skin cleansing, and nightly aloe scalp treatments before showering. She maintains close friendships with designer Alexander Wang and musician Oh Hyuk of Hyukoh. Actor John Malkovich, her co-star in Mile 22, serves as her mentor, advising her to embrace all emotions during her transition from YG Entertainment.
Role Models and Influences
Her musical influences stem from Black artists across multiple genres. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was the first album her father purchased for her, while Beyoncé's Dangerously in Love was her first personal CD purchase. Janet Jackson influenced her understanding of movement and expression, Missy Elliott shaped her approach to video visuals, Lil Kim informed her fashion fearlessness, and Aaliyah inspired her stage wardrobe of baggy pants and combat boots. She cites Madonna, Queen, and Lauryn Hill as role models for their originality. Destiny's Child and TLC served as primary inspirations for 2NE1. Producer Teddy Park influenced her throughout 2NE1's career.
CL's Impact on K-pop and Fashion
Fashion Icon Status
Dazed magazine designated her as the "ultimate style queen" in South Korea. Her connections span internationally renowned designers including Jeremy Scott, Marc Jacobs, and Karl Lagerfeld, with regular appearances at fashion houses such as Chanel, Saint Laurent, Fendi, Moschino, Givenchy, Balmain, and Alexander McQueen. Vogue characterized her "affinity for loud, larger-than-life clothes" as "catnip for photographers during Fashion Week".
She became the first female South Korean artist to cover an American magazine and the first singer to cover Elle Korea. Her magazine portfolio includes Paper, W, Elle, Vogue, Rolling Stone, Marie Claire, Dazed, Cosmopolitan, and Allure. Nordstrom's Trunk Club included her among 15 Most Stylish Female Icons worldwide. She appeared on Time magazine's readers polls for Most Influential People in the World, ranking 2nd in 2015 and 25th in 2016. She became the first female K-pop idol on Hypebeast's list of 100 influential people in fashion and the BoF 500 fashion industry power list. In 2024, she joined the LVMH Prize committee of experts as the first K-pop artist. She attended the 2021 Met Gala wearing an Alexander Wang hanbok-inspired denim design.
Influence on Other Artists
Artists citing her as influence include Blackpink's Lisa, (G)I-dle's Soyeon, Chungha, Aespa's Giselle, Loona's Hyunjin, and Lorde. Korean-American snowboarding gold medalist Chloe Kim stated she listens to CL before competing.
CL Facts
FAQS
Commonly discussed aspects of her public persona include her stance on beauty standards within the entertainment industry. She resisted pressure to undergo double-eyelid surgery, a procedure that creates an eyelid crease and was prevalent during her early career. She maintained her natural monolids, emphasizing personal autonomy regarding appearance choices.
In early 2021, her mother passed away, a loss she expressed through the track "Wish You Were Here," described as a eulogy laid over a back-beat rhythm. This period coincided with her preparation for the album "Alpha," which carried dual significance: representing the alpha-female character she embodies while simultaneously suggesting a new beginning. The album aimed to add personal flavor to her established branding.
Her business entity Very Cherry, characterized as an all-encompassing brand, formally established headquarters in Seoul, marking a symbolic return to her roots. She spent 2020 in Seoul during this transitional period.
Regarding her artistic identity, she rejects singular categorization, acknowledging that different audiences perceive her variously as a K-pop artist, pop star, sister, or friend. She deliberately avoids being confined to one layer or putting herself in a box.
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