Early life and career[edit]

CL was born in Seoul, South Korea. She comes from a family of academics: her grandfather is
a physicist; her uncle is an economist; her aunt runs an art gallery; her father is
a physics professor.
[better source needed][4][5]

CL spent most of her childhood living in Paris, Tsukuba Science City and Tokyo. She
attended international schools throughout her school-days. Her father encouraged her to listen to
different genres of music. And she dreamed of becoming a singer when she was about 10. She had
sent demo tapes to YG Entertainment since elementary school but did not get a reply. When she
was 13, she moved back to Paris alone where she studied for two years.
[5]
At the age of 15, she
went to YG building and waited for a long time to meet CEO Yang Hyun-suk. She gave him her
demo tape and then she landed a successful audition.
[5][2]
CL has mentioned that over several
months as a trainee for YG, she would practice until 3-4 in the morning and attend school the next
day.
[2][5]

CL's first feature on a song recording was Big Bang's "Intro (Hot Issue)" in 2007. Later that year, she
had her first stage debut at Seoul Broadcasting System's Music Awards alongside her label mates
at YG Entertainment.
[citation needed]
Her first credited appearance in a song was in 2008, with Uhm Jung
Hwa's "DJ," in which she rapped.
[6]
CL also appeared on YMGA's track "What" as part of the YG
Family.
[4]

2NE1[edit]
Main article: 2NE1
2NE1 debuted in SBS's The Music Trend on May 17, 2009 where they performed their digital
single Fire produced by Teddy Park of 1TYM. With the release of their self-titled extended play, the
group started the promotions of their title track I Dont Care. Their mini album hit the no. 3 spot at the
Hanteo's "Best-selling Album of 2009" with over 100,000 copies sold.
In October 2010, 2NE1 returned with their first full-length studio album To Anyone,
[7]
which was
released on September 9, 2010. Promotions started with the simultaneous showcase of the three
title tracks of the album, "Clap Your Hands", "Go Away" and "Can't Nobody". Following those
promotions, another song "It Hurts (Slow)"
[8][9]
was released on October 31 for Halloween. The
album garnered huge success and 2NE1 won an overall 11 times on various music shows from their
promotions.
[10]
The album went on to sell over 150,000 copies.
[citation needed]

In 2NE1s second album Crush, CL wrote the lyrics and co-composed the music for the tracks
"Crush", "If I Were You", and "Baby I Miss You". She also did the lyrics for her solo track "MTBD", as
well as the track "Scream".
[citation needed]

Solo activities[edit]
In August 2009, CL also collaborated with label-mates G-Dragon of Big Bang and Teddy
Park of 1TYM for "The Leaders", which was featured on G-Dragon's first solo album Heartbreaker. It
was revealed that CL wrote her own lyrics to the song.
In August, after finishing "I Don't Care" promotions, 2NE1 took a temporary hiatus with each member
releasing their own solo singles. First, Dara released "Kiss" which featured CL. The song peaked at
number five on the Gaon monthly charts.
[11]
CL then collaborated with fellow member Minzy for
"Please Don't Go," which charted at number six by the end of November.
[12]

In March 2012, CL and rapper Kim Jin Pyo were featured in a new rap campaign "all Originals Make
Moves" for Adidas Originals. Both CL and Kim were noted for writing the lyrics for the raps which
where presented as two videos.
[13]

In May 2013, YG Entertainment announced that CL will release her first solo single on the label in
over five years at the end of the month with a promotions circuit to follow.
[14]
The single title was
originally intended to be "Bad Girl", but was retitled "The Baddest Female" following the release of
Lee Hyori's "Bad Girls" music video.
[15]
It was released on 28 May 2013 as well as the official music
video that debuts on the same day.
[16]

CL and G-Dragon both appeared on Skrillex's song "Dirty Vibe" from his 2014 album Recess.
Musical style and influences[edit]
CL is the leader, vocal and rapper in her group.
[17]
She cites 1TYM leader Teddy Park who produces
much of 2NE1's music as influences and inspirations, as well as Madonna,
[2]
Queen and Lauryn
Hill (influenced by her father).
[18]
In an Elle magazine interview, she said that she has an alter-ego
between CL and Chaerin, with the former as "the baddest female onstage" and the latter as her
personality when she is with her family and friends.
[19]

Discography[edit]
For CL's works with 2NE1, see 2NE1 discography.
Singles[edit]
Year Song
Peak position
Album
KOR
[12]

2009 "Please Don't Go" (with Minzy) 6 To Anyone
2013 "The Baddest Female" 4
2014 "MTBD (Mental Breakdown)" 11 Crush
Featured singles
2007 "Hot Issue" (G-Dragon feat. CL) Hot Issue
2008
"What" (YMGA feat. YG Family & DJ Wreckx)
"DJ" (Uhm Jung Hwa feat. CL) D.I.S.C.O
2009
"The Leaders" (G-Dragon feat. CL & Teddy) 38 Heartbreaker
"Kiss" (Dara feat. CL) 5 To Anyone
2014 "Dirty Vibe" (Skrillex feat. Diplo, G-Dragon, and CL)
[20]
Recess