CL talks U.S. debut, solo promotions, + possibility of 2NE1's reunion

CL opened up about her solo career, U.S. debut, 2NE1, and more in an interview with Ilgan Sports.

Some of the questions and answers from her recent interview are as follows: 

You're no longer in a group and you promote solo. Aren't you lonely?

"It's been 2 years since I've been preparing for my U.S. solo album. Honestly, it was hard because there was a lot that I had to run into alone in the states."

How did you spend the past 2 years? 

"Yang [Hyun Suk] sajangnim helped me a lot and I went through countless processes with many teams. When I first joined YG, I spent 2 years as a trainee. I was able to find my own color and learned about the album system of Korea. And now, I've spent anoter 2 years for my U.S. debut. I see these recent 2 years as a trainee period. I'm a rookie in the U.S. I learned how to make an album, and how to communicate with the American public."

Why did you decide to debut in the U.S.?

"It was my dream. When I was auditioning for YG, I gave a demo tape to Yang sajangnim. I still remember saying, 'I really want to become a pop star in the U.S.' I was 15 back then. Honestly, it's not the U.S. that's' important, but I grew up listening to pop music due to my father's influences. Pop is the music that influenced my musical life the most. I built up my dream listening to pop and I wanted to sing that song in the U.S."

Your first official U.S. single, "Lifted", gained good feedback. It even entered Billboard's hot 100. 

"It's not an official [debut] track but I'm grateful for the love. I released a song when my status is actually a trainee. I really received a lot of help from Yang sajangnim."

What kind of person is Yang Hyun Suk sajangnim to you?

"He's like a dad. But I don't get to see him often. There are a lot of guys in YG. So I didn't really have an opportunity to get close with sajangnim. But he listens to and trusts in me when I share ideas or things I sincerely want to do like [2NE1's final track] "Goodbye"."

Yang sajangnim mentioned in an interview that 2NE1 might reunite like S.E.S.

"I also believe that it can happen. Of course, the 4 of us will have to be on the same note and the environment has to allow it. I think it'll be welcoming whenever that day comes."

Will we be able to see 2NE1's performance in 20 years?

"First, I have to stay in shape in order to sing "Fire" in 20 years. As you know, our songs are difficult to sing. The dance is also powerful. I'm maintaining myself for it."

Credits: Allkpop