On a sweltering afternoon, I'm seated on the outdoor balcony of K-pop icon CL's room at the Raffles Hotel Singapore. As I am about to pose my second interview question, she notices that I'm beginning to perspire and interjects: "Is it too warm here? Are you sure? Are you sure? We should go in." For one of the most famous figures in K-pop, Lee Chae-rin, better known by her stage name CL, comes across as surprisingly laidback and thoughtful. The star, who was the leader and main rapper of the record-breaking girl group 2NE1, was in Singapore for Cartier's recent Panthère-themed exhibition event, Into the Wild. To say that the past 15 months have been a whirlwind of a comeback for CL is almost an understatement. In September 2021, she became the first K-pop female musician to attend the Met Gala in New York, and a month later, CL unleashed her long-awaited full-length solo album, Alpha. Just months ago, the artist surprised 2NE1 fans everywhere by bringing her former bandmates on the Coachella stage to perform their anthem, I am the Best. Yes, this is the same K-pop queen who warmly asked her team to get me a chair (and some tissue) for the interview to continue indoors.
Welcome to Singapore, CL! You're here for Cartier's Into the Wild. Tell us about a recent time when you went wild for something.
Thank you! Well, you know me (laughs). Keeping a wild side - I think everyone has that inside. And for me, it's when I'm on stage that I can be as wild as possible. And that's my favourite thing to do.
Congratulations on the one-year anniversary of your album, Alpha. Looking back, how do you feel about it as a body of work?
This story is from the December/January 2023 edition of L'OFFICIEL Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December/January 2023 edition of L'OFFICIEL Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Sleeping Beauties
Louis Vuitton releases two fresh versions of its Bed Trunk, which have been designed in collaboration with Nicolas Ghesquière and Pharrell Williams
TRUE BLUE
Back in 1968, Van Cleef & Arpels' Alhambra motif was born.
WHAT MAKES A MAJESTIC ESCAPE?
The answer: These Harry Winston jewels, which are inspired by the breathtaking appearance of dawn in the Indonesian province of Bali, from the Majestic Escapes Collection.
Leaping FORWARD
Movements described as \"feline\" come with an extra element of grace and elegance.
Enchanted WOODS
A magical connection blooms right here as L'OFFICIEL SINGAPORE meets South Korean actress Kim Min-ha-dressed in Dior's Cruise 2025 collection, the Pachinko star shares why the series is so close to her heart and how she would love to fill her world with Haribo
Life of the PARTY
The new Andy Warhol Clou de Paris timepiece pays homage to the Piaget Society, celebrating the Maison's golden era
Best Foot FORWARD
Having always set itself apart by combining shoe-making and smart engineering, FitFlop goes a step further by announcing a new partnership with Song Hye Kyo. The South Korean star was so enamoured with the stylish yet comfortable designs that she handpicked her favourite styles for her ambassador shoot
Standing TALL
With its striking elongated silhouettes, inventive takes on couture, and clever tie-ups, the Balenciaga Spring 2025 parade couldn't be dampened even by the day's rainstorm
Extraordinary EVERY DAY
As SHANGHAI TANG celebrates 30 years, there is no better time to embrace the Friends of SHANGHAI TANG Collection and its touches of contemporary chinoiserie, timeless elegance, and joie de vivre
A City That NEVER SLEEPS
30,000 square metres, 10 \"designer neighbourhoods\", 10 unique Moncler Genius collections, and one stunning \"The City of Genius\" concept, in which one can soak in different artistic and cultural viewpoints of the diverse creative talents assembled
