CLC

CLC is a seven-member South Korean girl group under Cube Entertainment, known for their powerful girl crush performances and the viral hit "No." While the group has been inactive since 2020, they never officially disbanded. Members have pursued solo careers, with Yujin debuting in Kep1er and others releasing solo music or acting.

Their discography spans from youthful pop to dark, edgy concepts, earning them a dedicated international fanbase, particularly in Southeast Asia and Latin America. Despite modest domestic success, their music continues to resonate, and their YouTube channel has amassed over 317 million views. [edit]

CLC's story begins in the training rooms of Cube Entertainment, the agency behind 4Minute and BEAST. In early 2015, Cube announced a new girl group with five members: Seunghee, Yujin, Seungyeon, Sorn, and Yeeun. Sorn had already been known to K-pop fans from her appearance on the first season of K-pop Star, where she placed sixth at just 15. The group debuted on March 19, 2015, with the EP First Love and the retro-tinged single "Pepe."

Later that year, Cube added two new members: Elkie, a former child actress from Hong Kong, and Eunbin, who had appeared in the drama Temptation. They joined officially with the release of Refresh in February 2016, turning CLC into a seven-member group. The early era leaned cute and playful, but that changed dramatically with the January 2017 single "Hobgoblin." The dark, trap-heavy track shocked fans but set the group on a new path. Over the next few years, CLC released Crystyle, Black Dress, and finally No.1, which brought their biggest hit, "No." The song peaked at number 25 on the Gaon Digital Chart, their best showing ever.

After the release of "Devil" in September 2020, Cube gradually stopped promoting the group. Elkie left in 2021 amid a contract dispute, and in May 2022, Cube announced the end of official activities. The members have since gone their separate ways, but CLC has never formally disbanded. [edit]

CLC's sound evolved dramatically over their career. They started with bright, youthful pop on First Love, but by 2017 they pivoted to a fierce girl crush concept with "Hobgoblin." That track, with its aggressive hip-hop beat and powerful choreography, became a fan favorite and set the tone for releases like "Black Dress" and "Devil."

Their music often blended EDM, trap, and R&B, with strong vocal performances from Seunghee and Sorn and sharp raps from Yeeun and Eunbin. The group's later work, especially "No," incorporated a more elegant, sophisticated sound while retaining their signature intensity. Lyrically, they explored themes of confidence, independence, and self-expression, which resonated with their international fanbase. [edit]

CLC's influence is most visible in the rise of the girl crush concept within Cube Entertainment. Their 2017 pivot with "Hobgoblin" helped pave the way for their labelmates (G)I-DLE, who would later achieve massive success with a similar style. CLC also stood out for their international membership: Sorn from Thailand and Elkie from Hong Kong brought a global perspective that broadened the group's appeal across Southeast Asia.

Members also made their mark on survival shows. Yujin competed in Girls Planet 999 and went on to debut in Kep1er, while Seunghee appeared on The Unit. These appearances introduced CLC's talent to new audiences and kept the group's name alive even during hiatus. [edit]

Cheshires, CLC's fandom, are known for their fierce dedication. The name, inspired by the Cheshire Cat, was announced in 2015. Fans rallied behind the group during the "No" era with massive streaming and voting campaigns, helping the song become their biggest hit. Though CLC never had an official lightstick, Cheshires showed up with pearl mint and white slogans, creating a sea of color at concerts.

The fandom is notably international, with strong communities in Thailand, the Philippines, and Latin America. Even after the group went inactive, Cheshires continue to support the members' solo projects and keep the CLC legacy alive online. [edit]

CLC stands for CrystaL Clear, reflecting the group's desire for transparency in their music and image.

Sorn was the first Thai idol to debut under Cube Entertainment, and she had previously placed sixth on K-pop Star season 1.

Elkie was a child actress in Hong Kong before joining CLC, appearing in films and TV dramas.

Yujin's appearance on Girls Planet 999 made her one of the few contestants who had already debuted in a girl group, and her success in Kep1er brought renewed attention to CLC's discography.

"Hobgoblin" was initially controversial for its drastic concept change, but it has since been praised as a pioneering girl crush track. [edit]