On 'ALPHA,' CL finishes what she started
In "My Way," off her Oct. 20 debut ALPHA, CL sings, "아직 해줄 말이 많은데 (I still have a lot to say) / But I just wanna talk in my way." The K-pop artist born Lee Chae-rin sounds determined, which is reassuring, considering the near-decade of fanfare — and years of radio silence — leading up to this moment.
CL grew accustomed to landmark success with her former girl group, YG Entertainment's 2NE1 (pronounced "21," as in this century). Touted as "pioneers" by will.i.am., 2NE1 was the first K-pop girl group to tour worldwide. In 2014, 2NE1 set an early record for the biggest sales week for a K-pop group in history, with its best (and ultimately final) album . At the heart of its tough-girl image, indebted to And she appeared every bit as confident as plans for her solo U.S. debut fell into place. She inked a U.S. management deal with Scooter Braun's SB Projects. She collaborated with and , and received top-tier video treatments by Dave Meyers and choreographer Parris Goebel.
