Former 2NE1 member CL remains to be the brightest, successful stars in Korea as she continually goes beyond her boundaries ever since she entered the K-pop industry. CL, whose real name is Lee Chae-rin, was born in Seoul, South Korea, but spent the majority of her early life in France and Japan.
As a toddler, the rapper, who's also a songwriter, lives with her grandmother in the southern Gangnam neighborhood of Jagok-dong, but she spent most of her younger years in Tsukuba, Japan. When it comes to her parents, CL said they are open-minded and free thinkers, her artistic mother who's like one of her girlfriends and her university professor father who's always wearing a T-shirt and jeans.
She went to American international schools in Japan, but at the age of 13, she moved to Paris alone where she studied for two years. Admittedly, CL said she "never learned Korean properly."
CL's first featured on a song recording was Intro (Hot Issue) by Big Bang in 2007, and her first credited appearance in a song was in 2008, with Uhm Jung-hwa's "DJ," in which she rapped. In 2009, CL joined the girl group 2NE1 under K-pop company YG Entertainment. Since then, the rapper becomes one of South Korea's brightest stars and Time magazine also described her as "the future of K-pop in America."
In 2013, CL released her debut solo single, The Baddest Female. She managed to make it big worldwide following the release of her 2015 single "Hello Bitches" - she was noticed not just a Korean rapper but also a rising Asian woman. Just recently, CL appeared on "Dopeness" which is the latest single of Black Eyed Peas.
According to the South China Morning Post, the powerful image of CL has left a very strong impression on fans, particularly her fashion sense, rapping styles, and performance skills - which specifically struck young Korean women. The former 2NE1 member was unapologetic on her image as well as her sexuality, so she associated herself with edgy brands.
CL advised other women that they can do whatever they want because that's what her own experiences taught her - anything is possible, and there's nothing a woman can't do. The rapper believed that if a guy can do it, then there is no reason she cannot do it. She said that thought made her motivated and work hard, so she hopes those who are watching her will think the same way to achieve success.
