Personal Details :
- Full Name: Lee Chae-rin
- Stage Name: CL
- Birth Date: February 26, 1991
- Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Height: 5’4″ (163 cm)
- Blood Type: B
- Occupation: Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Producer
- Agency: Independent (previously YG Entertainment)
- Languages: Korean, English, Japanese
Social Media Presence :
- Instagram: @chaelincl
- Twitter (X): @chaelinCL
- Facebook: ChaelinCL
- Official Website: clofficial.com
Career Overview :
- Early Training (2006–2008): Joined YG Entertainment after auditioning in 2006; trained under both YG and briefly JYP. First featured in Big Bang’s “Intro (Hot Issue)” and Uhm Jung-hwa’s “DJ.”
- 2009: Debuted as leader, main rapper, lead vocalist, and dancer of 2NE1, one of the most iconic K-pop girl groups.
- 2013: Launched solo career with the digital single “The Baddest Female,” showcasing her rap, hip-hop, and dubstep style. The music video surpassed one million views in under 24 hours.
- 2015–2016: Released edgy singles “Hello Bitches” and “Lifted.” With “Lifted,” she became the first female K-pop solo artist to enter the Billboard Hot 100. Toured North America on her debut Hello Bitches Tour, performing across nine cities.
- 2016: 2NE1 officially disbanded, and CL continued solo promotions under YG Entertainment.
- 2017–2018: Collaborated with Western artists including Diplo, Skrillex, and Lil Yachty. Contributed to the soundtrack of *My Little Pony: The Movie* and made her Hollywood debut in the action film *Mile 22*. Also performed at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
- 2019: Departed YG Entertainment and released her EP *In the Name of Love*, featuring six tracks that reflected her personal and professional growth.
- 2021: Released her first full-length studio album *Alpha* through her own label, Very Cherry. Promoted the album internationally and became the first female K-pop artist to attend the Met Gala.
- 2024: Reunited with 2NE1 under YG Entertainment and resumed group activities.
Personal Life & Interests :
- Early Life: CL (Lee Chae-rin) was born in Seoul, South Korea, but spent much of her youth abroad in countries like Japan and France, giving her a multicultural background.
- Education: Attended international schools, including the French international school in Japan and one in Paris.
- Languages: She is fluent in Korean, English, Japanese, and French, which has helped her international collaborations.
- Family: She is very close to her younger sister and has often spoken about the strong influence of her father, who is a physics professor.
- Style & Image: Known for her bold fashion sense and fearless image, CL has become a global style icon and trendsetter.
- Hobbies: Enjoys fashion design, writing music, and painting. She has a deep interest in self-expression and individuality.
- Personality: CL is known to be fiercely independent, confident, and ambitious. Despite her tough stage persona, she’s known to be caring and loyal to close friends and fans.
Net Worth :
- Estimated Net Worth (2025): Approximately $8 million USD
- Estimated Net Worth (2024): Approximately $8 million USD
- Estimated Net Worth (2023): Approximately $8 million USD
Awards & Achievements :
- Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA): Multiple wins with 2NE1, including Song of the Year and Best Female Group.
- Style Icon Awards: Recognized as a fashion icon for her bold and trendsetting image.
- Billboard Recognition: First Korean female solo artist to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 with her single “Lifted.”
- Olympics Performance: Performed at the 2018 Winter Olympics closing ceremony, representing Korean pop culture on the global stage.
- Met Gala: Became the first female K-pop idol to attend the prestigious Met Gala in 2021.
- Forbes: Featured in Forbes Asia’s “30 Under 30” list for her influence in music and pop culture.
- Global Collaborations: Worked with artists like Diplo, Skrillex, and Black Eyed Peas, expanding her reach in Western markets.
- 2NE1 Achievements: With 2NE1, sold millions of albums worldwide and earned a reputation as one of K-pop’s most iconic girl groups.
Fun Facts :
- CL’s real name is Lee Chae-rin, but she picked “CL” as her stage name, which stands for her initials and also symbolizes being “in command.”
- She is fluent in four languages: Korean, English, Japanese, and French.
- CL spent much of her childhood in Japan and France, which gave her a global outlook and unique style.
- Known for her fierce fashion, CL has collaborated with top designers like Jeremy Scott and Alexander Wang.
- She was once dubbed the “Baddest Female” of K-pop due to her bold attitude, strong stage presence, and edgy persona.
- CL has a deep love for art and often incorporates visual and performance art into her music videos and stage performances.
- Despite her tough image, she is known to be humble, emotional, and deeply loyal to her fans and close friends.
- She was the first Korean female solo artist to enter the Billboard Hot 100 and the first K-pop female idol to attend the Met Gala.