Editor-in-Chief Barbara Koh flies to Seoul for an exclusive interview with K-pop superstar and Urban Decay Global Citizen CL
She’s a huge K-pop star, one of the OGs – an original. If you’re still in the dark, Lee Chae-Rin, better known as CL, was the leader of K-pop girl group 2NE1, considered one of the biggest girl groups of their time. With the likes of Big Bang, Super Junior and 2PM, 2NE1 was part of what the music industry calls the “second generation of K-pop stars”, the ones responsible for bringing K-pop to the world stage.
But amidst the “same-ness” of the groups and how the members portrayed themselves, K-pop Star CL had always stood out. Even as she started off as an 18-year-old with the YG-managed 2NE1, CL possessed way more swagger, more attitude – embodying a self-reliant, independent, badass attitude that was way ahead of her time.
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Being a triple threat – singer, rapper and dancer – made her triply bold, and CL admits she’s been unique from the start. The “I Am The Best” singer is unabashed about who she is. When I met her fin Seoul for Urban Decay’s #PrettyDifferent campaign launch, I could feel the room reverberate with her energy and effervescence. She emphatically says, “I was really loud, bright and super happy – very nonchalant… and also a super tomboy.”
Urban Decay Global Citizens
It’s no wonder then that when beauty brand Urban Decay decided to shake things up, it turned to a group of celebrities, including CL, to become its #PrettyDifferent Global Citizens. Urban Decay Founding Partner Wendy Zomnir says the launch of this new “Pretty Different” manifesto “is our anthem for fellow makeup junkies who don’t want to subscribe to beauty standards”. She adds, “It’s our tribute to individuality because everyone is pretty different.”
Joining CL in this collective of trailblazers who champion uniqueness are actor Ezra Miller, who was also in Seoul for the launch party at SJ Kunsthalle in Gangnam, singer Lizzo, actress Joey King and Colombian singer Karol G.
So, when you get to meet a megastar, you want to ask her as many questions as you can. Here’s what we got out of her in 10 minutes!
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CL: I mean… can’t you see?! I AM pretty different and I have always been, and I’ve known I’m different, even as a kid. My personality, the things I liked… Actually I didn’t think I was different, but the other kids thought I was weird or something…
I just let it be, I didn’t let it bother me. I love making friends and learning from new people. Learning about their culture, or what they’re into, their life. I’ve learnt that when you show interest and start connecting, it doesn’t really matter if you are weird or different.
CL: Wow, there are so many countries I’d love to go to. Every country I have visited, I have loved because I simply love travelling to new places… trying new food, looking at what the people are wearing… and through these things you learn about their life.
I want to see the Aurora Borealis lights. I know you can see it from places like Iceland and also in some parts of Canada. That’s one thing I really, really want to do. Also, my favourite time of year is winter. I am all about winter… sipping a cup of hot chocolate and just taking in the snowy scenery. (She sees me taking notes with pen and paper) I love that you’re taking notes – it’s so romantic
There are many things that inspire me. When I see someone, like my fans, for example… I like to connect with them whether it be in times of struggle or times of celebration. We should focus on celebration… we should celebrate celebration more. When I see people fighting for something I believe in, for something like #PrettyDifferent, I am inspired. Being a woman, being an Asian woman, being a musician and artist, all these things inspire me.
CL: My die-die, is that how you say it, is the All-Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray which I have been using since I went on tour. I wear heavy makeup on stage and with all the costume changes, hair flips and sweat… you’d think there would be no makeup left on your face. But I go home for a quick change before dinner and see my makeup still looking fresh. Another must-have has to be the Urban Decay Naked Cherry Eyeshadow Palette. I love the colours, but my nickname is Cherry, so I think I am being 99 per cent biased! And I now have a new favourite – the Naked Honey Eyeshadow Palette. There’s gold and yellow, for me they are different colours, but very Christmassy, which I love. And definitely the eyeliner!
CL: I love putting on makeup. It’s actually a therapeutic thing for me. When I wake up in the morning, I do a warm wash then a super-cold ice wash. After washing, I use toner, which I store in the fridge, then the serum, moisturiser and sunscreen, followed by primer. I actually start with eye makeup first, then I do the rest of the face. I do my makeup in a super-cold room because I like my pores really tight – I feel this helps my foundation stay on through the day. And of course, I finish off with the All-Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray. I also love taking long baths. It’s soothing for me.
CL: I started really, really late – only after the debut of our album “To Anyone” in 2010. As I said, I was a tomboy growing up, so I wasn’t interested in makeup at all. I was into singing and dancing, and even when the album came out, the makeup artist would do it for us. But when the album first came out, a lot of people judged me on the way I looked as I didn’t exactly match the typical standard of beauty. That’s when I decided I didn’t want people to judge my music and performance by the way I looked. I began to study my face structure and my outfits, and that’s when I started playing with makeup. My makeup, outfit and hair are all an expression of my music. Then I started applying eyeliner, and I loved who I created. I’m glad that happened.
CL: Anything my grandma cooks, obviously! And recently, I really like the Korean pumpkin soup or porridge (hobakjuk).
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CL: I love Disney. To be honest, my mother told me I used to love “Dumbo” and “Bambi” when I was little. She said I watched it 5,000 times! I love all types of cartoons. And on my playlist these days is Disney music.
CL: I go to myself. I actually go through my old journals. A lot of people look to the outside or to other people for solutions, but in hard times, I think it’s best when you look within yourself and that’s where you’ll find the answers. And I look into my journal. My father made us do it and it was the only thing he’d get pissed off about if we didn’t do. So my sister and I have developed that journalling habit.
CL: It feels #PrettyDifferent! I believe that every single one of us is pretty different. It’s about embracing and enjoying that. For me to be a fan of the brand, and for me to be not an ideal, standard figure to represent a makeup brand, it feels good and it feels natural. I love wearing chunky eyeliners and feel that it’s a way to express myself. Urban Decay represents that perfectly, so I wanted to be a part of this. It’s great promoting things I believe in. And I get to use the new products before anyone else does!
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