CL: Rising in the East - Cover story

[hagar-tammaa.livejournal.com]

CL, leader of K-pop girl group 2NE1, is a singer and rapper from Seoul, Korea with a rich, unique vocal tone and notable lyrical prowess. You may have heard her on Skrillex’s new album, rapping with such charisma and skill she makes the dubstep track “Dirty Vibe” sound fresh. The break out beauty has been seen cheek-to-cheek with fashion giants Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Jeremy Scott—when she isn’t touring across the globe as a pop star, that is. After an unyielding track record of hit singles in Asia, 2NE1 set records on the Billboard 200 for highest-charting and best- selling K-pop album with their sophomore release, Crush. Additionally, their song “I Am the Best” was featured in an ad for Microsoft, a campaign that launched the 3-year-old single into the number one spot on American Billboard’s World Digital Songs chart. The only other South Korean artist to accomplish this is the band’s record label mate PSY of “Gangam Style” fame.

Born Chaelin Lee, CL spent her childhood in France and Japan before returning to her native South Korea to train as a musician under one of the country’s largest talent and record companies, YG Entertainment. She’s proven herself a musical force fronting one of Asia’s most accomplished acts in the business. CL can be seen front row at fashion weeks in New York, Milan, and Paris and, at just 23 years old, has become a brand icon of female empowerment.

Musicians from Europe and Latin America have long held a place in the U.S. mainstream but, aside from a few one-hit wonders, Asian artists have yet to find a permanent spot amidst the canon of American pop culture. As a multilingual recording artist citing musical inspiration from the eclectic foundation of her upbringing, CL has the potential to set a place amongst her peers in the West. On the horizon for the bright star is a crossover onto the North American stage with an English album that will grant accessibility to audiences sheltered from (or unopen to) Korean lyrics. Guiding her to new markets is industry maverick Scooter Braun, manager to a line up of wildly popular top billing artists including Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Ariana Grande. With an already acute understanding of what it takes to be a musical icon, CL’s main priority now is infusing her unique voice and style into the world of Western pop.

You began training for your career at a young age. What inspired you to become a musician?

It was natural for me because my dad loves music. I grew up listening to a lot of English bands and Japanese rock from the 1980s when I was little and living in Japan. When I went to elementary school and middle school, I fell in love with hip hop. Listening to all different kinds of music, I think it was natural, but the root of it all was my father. He inspired me.

Did living in Japan and France have an affect on you as an artist?

I went to international schools my whole life where there were never more than 100 kids. It was always a smaller private school, and I was around all kinds of cultures. That helps me now too because I am so open to everyone and I feel like I can connect with more people.

You are known to have two personalities, CL and Chaelin. Who are they and how does each character influence you when you are writing or performing?

CL is the performer, and she is there when I record. She is the side that the public sees. It was special doing 2NE1TV [a reality show documenting her band’s early career] because people got to see Chaelin. They’re just different. I’m Chaelin when I am around my old friends or my family. I need that switch when I perform.

Hip hop is the foundation for most of your music. What draws you to hip hop and rapping?

I listened to a lot of hip hop growing up, so it is my main influence. Also, our main producer Teddy Park (also a former YG recording artist in the group 1TYM) has been making hip hop music since he was young. We like mixing it a lot with different sounds, like reggae or even rock. I am trying out new types of music right now for the new album, so we will see where it goes.

Would you consider yourself more of a hip hop artist than K-pop?

I don’t like to categorize myself or 2NE1. We are just 2NE1 and I am just CL, and I just want to have fun with what I do. Every time. 2NE1’s sound is very different from K-pop too, and when people want to listen to K-pop specifically, I am not sure that our music is the best representation of it. We aren’t the K-pop standard, except that we sing in Korean. It’s just different now, for me, because I am doing it in English. I love it, it’s new.

With Skrillex, you were rapping over dubstep on “Dirty Vibe.” More recently you performed with Diplo. What is it like working with musicians outside of South Korea?

You learn new things and you get to grow as an artist. Especially with “Dirty Vibe.” It happened really fast, and it was a lot of fun because Skrillex was actually in our studio in Korea. I love Diplo’s music and as a person he is so chill and so open. He used to live in Japan when he was younger too, so I feel we have a similar vibe where we are both understanding of mixed cultures.

What artists are you listening to right now?

I’m listening to my own songs [laughs]. To be honest, I am doing sessions right now and working on my album, and I try not to listen to other people’s music because I don’t want to copy anyone’s style. I can listen and be inspired by other artists, but not while I am doing sessions. I want to write my own story. I was in 2NE1 before, but going solo, it’s going to be a new sound.

What do you like most about solo projects versus being in a group?

It’s different being on stage by myself because I’m used to performing as a group with 2NE1, but both are fun. Solo projects are more challenging for me because I’ve been with the girls for almost 10 years. I’m going to continue doing both, but I like challenging myself with new things.

Who influences you musically?

Female rappers. I like Foxy Brown, Lil’ Kim, Queen Latifah, Eve…I love that kind of rough vibe. I grew up listening to them. These days, you have YouTube and the Internet, but when I was younger you had to buy a CD. It was harder to listen to the music from [America] and even their style was more rare. They were from a different world, from their look to their voices to the music.

Each single and album you release is matched with a clearly defined look. How much is fashion a part of your process as an artist?

For me, fashion is part of everyday life now. I like dressing up. I don’t think I was really into “fashion” before becoming an artist, but I have always loved dressing up and looking like a character. Now I love it on stage when I am performing, and still in my normal life. Fashion is another way to express myself along with the music. I think that’s the connection.

You are often seen wearing Jeremy Scott’s designs, and you’ve been friends for years. How did you meet?

We wore his collection for Adidas in our first music video, “Fire.” He saw it on Youtube, then came all the way to Korea to do a photoshoot with us. That’s how I met him, and we’ve been friends ever since.

What are your thoughts on Jeremy Scott’s work for Moschino?

I missed his first show for Moschino because I was on tour, but I went to Milan to see the Barbie collection. I have seen [the shows for his own label] many times before, but I got goosebumps again at Moschino when the music came on. Fashion week in Milan is very different from New York, it’s a different vibe. In that moment, I was so proud of him, and so happy for him. He killed it!

Why does this feel like the right time to record an English album? Was it your plan from the beginning to debut in the U.S.?

We have been talking about this for a long time, so for me it feels more like, Finally! We’re doing it. And it’s about time. Everything just fell into place. I grew up listening to English bands and American pop, so it always felt natural for me to sing in English. Now that I have been an artist in Asia for 8 years, I feel like challenging a new crowd.

Do you feel any pressure representing contemporary music from Asia on a mainstream level in the U.S.?

I don’t feel pressured, and I don’t want to be. The thing is I have no example. There’s no one in front of me who has done this before. Maybe there were people who have tried, but I can’t really name anyone who was successful enough to be my mentor as an Asian woman. I definitely have a long way to go, but I’m just trying to do what I do and not make it too complicated. And I feel like I have the right people around me, a good team. YG has known me for a long time and they know my color, while Scooter Braun has very good taste.

There is a running theme of female empowerment in your music, which is impactful in a male-dominated genre like hip hop. Is this one of the main messages of your music?

I feel like Asian women are especially represented in a certain way all over the world. The image is very timid and obedient, and I’m the complete opposite of that. I want people to know we’re not always like that. When you look at the artists in J-pop or K-pop, there is a standard: 7 girls wearing the same clothes, very cute and shy. I just want to say there are stronger women like me. I like those groups too, but I want to let the world know that that’s not everything. Sending that message through music is what I do best. I want to lead by example.

What is your WILD Wish?

To fly.

pics::

Source : Wild

Comments

[xkat-attackx.livejournal.com]

She looks great!! Love the third pic. Interview was good too. I know people are being really critical about it, but personally I'm excited for her American debut.

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

Most important part...yes for 2NE1 US advancement please because they aren't going to be able to do anything in Korea

What do you like most about solo projects versus being in a group?

It’s different being on stage by myself because I’m used to performing as a group with 2NE1, but both are fun. Solo projects are more challenging for me because I’ve been with the girls for almost 10 years. I’m going to continue doing both, but I like challenging myself with new things.

I know it's an American interview but I do wish Tasha could have gotten a mention...she should have known her when she came back to Korea

Who influenced you musically?

Female rappers. I like Foxy Brown, Lil’ Kim, Queen Latifah, Eve…I love that kind of rough vibe. I grew up listening to them. These days, you have YouTube and the Internet, but when I was younger you had to buy a CD. It was harder to listen to the music from [America] and even their style was more rare. They were from a different world, from their look to their voices to the music.

[leighbee333.livejournal.com]

wildly popular top billing artists including Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Ariana Grande.

Only one of those currently qualifies as wildly popular, and I can't see her having much career longevity. Scooter Braun seems to be associated with a lot of flash in the pans.

while Scooter Braun has very good taste.

lmao.

I feel like Asian women are especially represented in a certain way all over the world. The image is very timid and obedient, and I’m the complete opposite of that. I want people to know we’re not always like that.

Creepy sexual fetishizing and harmful stereotypes of Asian-American women are still alive and well (compounded by the problem of underrepresentation), but I think she has an overly simplistic view of Americans/Westerners' exposure to other "types" of Asian women in the media (and irl). Like, she wouldn't be the first Asian (or Asian-descended) woman conveying this message to us...if she clarified that she was only talking about the field of pop music, that would make more sense.

If anything, in the 1990s the dragon lady stereotype overtook the china doll one (although the deleterious effects of the latter still linger in pop culture/the popular imagination to be sure); however, actresses like Lucy Liu and Sandra Oh have in the past decade been playing strong-willed women but with a lot of nuance/depth that elevates them beyond the stereotype's confines.

When you look at the artists in J-pop or K-pop, there is a standard: 7 girls wearing the same clothes, very cute and shy. I just want to say there are stronger women like me

Okay, but after proving that point, what is interesting or distinct about you as an artist? You're basically saying: "I'm just like all the American/Western artists!" I know that distinguishing yourself musically is not at all required to get popular on Top 40 radio (quite the contrary), but I wish she didn't seem so perfectly content just chasing trends and sounding like Rihanna (despite claiming that she doesn't want to copy other people's style...too late).

[dickslikejesus.livejournal.com]

" I feel like Asian women are especially represented in a certain way all over the world. The image is very timid and obedient, and I’m the complete opposite of that. I want people to know we’re not always like that.

Creepy sexual fetishizing and harmful stereotypes of Asian-American women are still alive and well (compounded by the problem of underrepresentation), but I think she has an overly simplistic view of Americans/Westerners' exposure to other "types" of Asian women in the media (and irl). Like, she wouldn't be the first Asian (or Asian-descended) woman conveying this message to us...if she clarified that she was only talking about the field of pop music, that would make more sense.

If anything, in the 1990s the dragon lady stereotype overtook the china doll one (although the deleterious effects of the latter still linger in pop culture/the popular imagination to be sure); however, actresses like Lucy Liu and Sandra Oh have in the past decade been playing strong-willed women but with a lot of nuance/depth that elevates them beyond the stereotype's confines."


I can see your point on pretty much everything you said, and while I agree with most of it, I do think you're sort of picking at her really. That being said, this part and the way it comes off is imo really missing the point.

You said it yourself in your response that it's still creepy and harmful, but that her view is too simple, I think her view is absolutely right on the money. In the west, I think the general view of Asian women is still very obedient or weak, I think your two examples are wonderful examples, but I grew up in the time of Lucy Liu's height of popularity, and I know that amongst everyone around me it was still, "Well she's just acting." That stereotype runs absolutely deep and I can't speak for the whole country, but I can tell you it runs real deep in my town, and if it wasn't for the fact that I reached out on my own as I got into Asian music and then started poking at the culture I would have absolutely never known it wasn't true. There's only a handful of movies where there is a strong Asian female that is popular amongst western culture, and I can bet there's a lot more movies where men portray them or treat them as weak and obedient.

I think her point is very general, obviously there are always exceptions to every rule, but as a person that does not live in America, if you simply saw it from the outside I bet you would feel the same way. She also said "I feel like" which implies that this is what she has gathered and this is her opinion which I still don't feel is very simple, just very general. It doesn't undermine the people before her or the hard work other people did, she's simply saying she wants to her part improve the image of Asian females and I don't think that's wrong.

At least that's what I took from it.

[veryimportantu.livejournal.com]

"I was in 2NE1 before, but going solo..."

RIP 2NE1

[kjc48.livejournal.com]

+1
oop.

I guess they're going to "break up" like 1TYM.

[kaykaydelight.livejournal.com]

She tried it

[kjc48.livejournal.com]

Skimmed through the first few paragraphs. That first line had a lot of words, hopefully most are true.

I know 2ne1 was famous in Asia, but I never really felt like they were known outside of the kpop niche (although they made some waves as "fashionistas"). Was ITB there Gee, Sorry Sorry, etc?

I liked how she was able to spin the training question to make it seem like she had a unique experience. Was she alive in the 80s? Is she still claiming to speak/understand Japanese?

All in all, I wish her success. But I don't really think I can support her, and what she represents.

[xxxeunaoseixxx.livejournal.com]

Their "gee" in Korea was "I don't care" and internationally it was "IATB"..

I think her japanese is fine.. She can understand well enough to have conversations.

[wasamin.livejournal.com]

idk what's worse, cl fans hyping cl up or cl believin in her own hype...

[lily-of-west.livejournal.com]

Oh I got this one, what's worse is people who are not her fans/don't like her/hate her with a burning passion occupying themselves with what CL or her fans say or do.

[adlyeith.livejournal.com]

I wish her all the luck and I hope she succeeds in America.
There's a very small part of me that hopes she succeeds just to shut up the naysayers, though.

[cooliosa.livejournal.com]

ya'll searching for something to complain about

[racquelle2005.livejournal.com]

Mfte

[cocodile.livejournal.com]

I'm torn on CL :
-She has shining moments (There are some nice, thoughtful answers in this Q&A), but her awful moments are really bad (I can't get over that interview where she goes full-on airhead about her queer fans).
-She comes across pretty tryhard, but gives me SO MUCH LIFE when a performance/photoshoot/song actually clicks.
-Depending on the day (and the size of her earrings), I'm either clawing my face in embarrassment or raising my hands in "slay me" position.
-Didn't feel "Baddest Female," but definitely bop to "MTBD."

I D E K. And honestly, I could switch her name out for most other pop artists I like these days and have the exact same issues.

[kjc48.livejournal.com]

Are you me? Although MTBD was ruined by the Islam scandal :(

[luna301.livejournal.com]

As someone who is not exactly a CL fan (I like 2NE1, but not CL's voice), I thought it was a good interview and nothing particularly raised any flags.

The only thing that at first glance stuck out to me was the "there are stronger women" comment because I felt like it feeds into that very narrow definition of strength. But objectively, I think that is probably me reading something into it that she didn't intend. The gist of what she's saying seems to be a comment on the fetishization and exoticism that goes on with regard to Asian women, and that's still a very valid, relevant issue in the world.

Love the pictures. She looks great.

[theharleyquinn.livejournal.com]

It turns me off that she's subtly dissing the K-pop scene and trying to sell herself as outside the system, but that is the YG way...

[leighbee333.livejournal.com]

This, lol.

[canxi.livejournal.com]

Thought the answers were thoughtful. I don't think I've ever read an in depth interview from her before so this was nice to read. I was going to pass it by but I ended up reading the whole thing, lol.

That being said, I do hope whatever she is cooking up is something different (as different as you can get—it's pop music, lol) and not just a hodgepodge of American hip-hop with party aesthetics. If anything, take note from someone like M.I.A who is a not a black rapper but does her own thing and manages to come back fresh each time with a great concept and unique set of visuals that infuses her own culture. I guess Diplo has more reach/popularity, though. Anyway, all I'm saying is don't do a re-hash and expect/try to make it with that alone. Good luck to her...

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

"Female rappers. I like Foxy Brown, Lil’ Kim, Queen Latifah, Eve…"
I was pleased with this answer

I like the pink jumpsuit but not that hair
She looked so cute with black pigtails

[myrrhcat.livejournal.com]

well, she stood up to pressure to get plastic surgery and has in general stood up for her own autonomy and not been pushed into the "idol" box. she's shown a lot of resistance just in her individual life and doesn't put down other women, i don't think she owes anyone more than that.

* in terms of gender issues anyway. with regards to race obviously she's a mess and really needs to stop

[torontok.livejournal.com]

There is entirely too much Moschino in those pictures.She's gorgeous but the styling does her no justice

[kaninasan.livejournal.com]

Good interview

She looks nice in the pictures but i wish she would close her mouth

[missmomoko.livejournal.com]

I get what she is saying but... Strong women come in all shapes, forms and personality types. You can be cute and strong too.

[lily-of-west.livejournal.com]

Clearly CL can find a cure for AIDS and people would still take it out of context, read what they want to read, see what they want to see, hear what they want to hear. It's not even funny how the hate on her is so real here, it's palpable. She said nothing remotely messy or questionable in the interview. She spoke from her own point of view, she gave her own opinions and experiences. She spoke the truth and offended no one.

She never said all women in Asia are submissive, but that there's a stereotype which there is. She said she wanted to show that although, yeah, some Asian women do perpetuate that stereotype (not just Asian) she wants to show that there are other types of Asian females out there. She never said that having "7 girls wearing the same clothes, very cute and shy" is bad, she said it's a kpop standard (which it is) but that there is more.

She's a female who in a male dominated industry and male dominated society is capable of saying "No, I don't want this!" But her saying that is not a valid point for discussion of her being a strong independent female in such a society because every female has to run out screaming Girl Power or Give us Rights to be considered anything in the realm of a feminist.

The fact that she, at 15, came up to one of the most influential people in the industry, put a tape in his hand and said "I want to do this!" is not valid cause she's not a female martyr who lost her life fighting for her rights.

The fact that at 15 she decided to say goodbye to her parents and sister and stay alone in a different city to fight for her dreams is not valid either because let's face it there are women out there amending laws so what's that.

The fact that she said "I don't want plastic surgery" to her boss in a society and industry where if you ain't pretty you ain't shit is not a valid reason to call her strong or say she's for female empowerment because she likes to dye her hair, wear contacts and make up. Because according to kpop KEYBOARD feminists and freedom fighters, wearing make up is a sign of insecurity.

The fact that she says in every interview basically "I want young girls to look at me and see that you don't have to bee stick skinny or extremely beautiful to make it you only need talent and hard work" is not valid either because they don't benefit from it.

I don't understand the mentality of some people, this is the girl who always stresses that she wears make up because she likes to transform herself while on stage, that she separates her on stage self from her real everyday life self. This is a girl who didn't hide her make up free face for 3 years on 2ne1 TV even when people called her the ugliest female kpop girl group member and endured it all with grace and dignity. This is the girl who says "I'm strong and independent but I also have feelings and want to love and be loved". This is someone who says "yes I'm strong and independent, but I'm not trying to scary or rude" who always encourages everyone around her and yet keyboard warriors deem her unworthy of being called strong, independent, a woman who empowers other females.

It's such a shame that people don't even try and read her interviews or if they do they twist everything to echo their clear dislike towards her.


Anyways, like I said ultimately people project their own dislike of a certain person onto everything related to them so I'm not even surprised. I personally loved the interview and she showed what a well-spoken person she is, as well as the fact that she doesn't just talk the talk she walks the walk. But I already knew that.