Rolling Stone Korea interview with CL
โRevered as K-POPโs Supreme, CL
Thereโs a hashtag I made.
Itโs โ#choose_love_over_fear.โ
How do we even begin to describe this bold, confident artist? First, we must start with 2NE1, the legendary K-pop group that debuted in 2009 and is still respected to this day. CLโs performance and attitude were entirely different from the other existing K-pop artists. She became the embodiment of โconfidenceโ and established herself as an icon of popular music. It may be said that sheโs the closest thing to a true โidol.โ She is revered instead of just being another โdoll.โ Korean pop music had some of its brightest moments when she was an idol. When 2NE1 ended and disbanded in early 2017, this celebrated group was eventually honored in K-popโs hall of fame. K-pop welcomed a new generation.
Because CL was a successful solo artist after 2NE1 disbanded, people could not help but pay attention to her projects. In 2016, she released โLiftedโ under Scooter Braun, but the album went by without much recognition. After her long hiatus in 2019, she released โIn The Name of Love.โ The release came after some much-needed time to focus on her music activities. The following year she released a string of full-length albums and singles starting with โ+HWA+,โ showing off her exceptional musicality and character.
As an extraordinary artist, a leading fashion celebrity, and a person who never loses confidence, she was able to take on the big world of K-pop. CL doesnโt talk about humility, but her messages never come off as arrogant. CL has come this far doing the best only she could do, instead of catering to the publicโs expectations. She has established her own following with her power and identity. When CLโs career briefly came to a halt during those few years, numerous โgirl crushโ celebrities took the challenge to take her throne. But in the end, CL has all eyes on her.
Now, CL is wrapping up the year in style with her studio album โALPHA.โ This full-length album has 11 tracks and is full of her musical ambitions. There is no title track, which shows how every piece is a work of art. She is still the undisputed ruler of the K-pop world. But now, her journey in this world is no longer about majesty and power but more about freedom and delight. This is because the music and her fans exist in the imaginary kingdom founded by CL.
Hello CL, itโs an honor to have you here with Rolling Stone Korea. Before our interview, please introduce yourself, and say hello.
Hello, this is CL. I recently released my first full-length album, โALPHA,โ following my debut.
โALPHAโ is your first full-length album. It took quite some time for the release. What was going through your mind while preparing this album?
I wanted to get off to a good start. I wanted to show my versatility and what I had learned from my experiences between being CL and Lee Chae-rin.
Having a look into the music youโve produced and the path youโve taken, we have seen you express your interest in creating an environment for artists, especially female artists, in which they can have independence with their work. Is there a reason youโve started doing these things?
Itโs not just limited to women, but anyone who may feel different from the others. When I saw these people go their own ways and express themselves, I was inspired. It gave me strength. I spent my childhood in various countries. So, Iโve always thought that I was different from other people. But, Iโve realized that everyone is extraordinary in their own ways. I just want unique people to be able to express themselves freely.
In 2016, โLIFTEDโ reached 94th on Billboardโs Hot 100. You became the first Korean female solo artist to do so. Now, seeing a Korean artist on the Billboardโs chart isnโt something new. We think that this was a big challenge for you and an incredible feat. How do you feel about this accomplishment?
At that time, I wanted to put more meaning into the fact that I had challenged the U.S. music scene. This was the music I had been born into and listened to. It was more about that rather than the accomplishment. Because of this experience, I think I was able to muster the courage to start working as the independent artist I am now.
What new side of yourself did you discover while working in the U.S.?
Not just in the U.S., but whenever I try something new, I find different sides to myself. While working on โALPHA,โ I found a new voice with myself that I didnโt know I had.
Throughout your career, what has inspired you the most to become the CL you are today?
CL is the persona of the Lee Chae-rin, created character. I think that I can be most like CL when Lee Chae-rinโs life is balanced and whole. โALPHAโ came out right when the balance between Lee Chae-rin and CL was perfectly matched.
We believe that there must have been times of great happiness to become who you are today. But, there must have also been times of hardship and anxiety. What would you want to say to yourself as the one who managed to pull you through it all?
Thereโs a hashtag I made. Itโs โ#choose_love_over_fear.โ
Check out the 2nd Special Edition issue of Rolling Stone Korea for more of ย CLโs photos and interview session.
Photographs by Mok Jungwookโ
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