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Is 2NE1's CL joining BigHit Entertainment? Cryptic tweet for 'new artist' sends K-pop fans into frenzy

CL first debuted as the leader and main rapper of group 2NE1 but later pursued a solo career after the group officially disbanded in 2016

South Korean rapper CL, whose real name is Lee Chae-rin seems to be making big moves in 2020. The 29-year-old artist, who has consistently proved her skills with her music, is now reportedly in talks to join one of the biggest South Korean entertainment agencies BigHit Entertainment which also manages BTS.

Rumors started doing the rounds of the internet after Weverse, a Korean mobile app and web platform created by South Korean entertainment company Bighit Entertainment, posted a cryptic tweet on their official account and said, “NEW ARTIST COMING SOON! 28 September 2020”

The cryptic tweet caused a stir on Twitter where many guessed that it could be CL. One user said, “OMG NO DONT TELL ME THATS CL OF 2NE1 I WILL LEGIT PASS OUT” Sharing a video of CL, one fan said, “I mean come on guys it is her.” Another made the same guess and tweeted, “Looks like a female soloist. I'd say and hope IU, but some valid replies says it's CL!”

Referring to the cryptic tweet, one stated, “IT IS CL!!! Look one sleeve is skintight while the other is loose!!! and the furry HAT!!!! IT IS CL!!!!!” Another added, “and even the backdrop matches!! and the gown!!! CL JOINED BIGHIT!!!! DAMN 2020 IS CRAZY!!! WATCH AS K"POP STANS SHIFT FROM CALLING CL THE BEST FEMALE RAPPER IF IT IS HER!!!” One added, “The Baddest Female, Queen CL of 2NE1 is coming to Weverse on September 28, 2020. The queen is gonna be such poppin’ on Weverse. Welcome to Weverse Family.”

CL first debuted as the leader and main rapper of group 2NE1 alongside members Park Bom, Sandara Park or 'Dara', and Gong Min-ji or 'Minzy'. The K-pop band was initially marketed as a sister group of sorts to the record label Big Bang but soon things changed and 2NE1 made their own way as one of the most popular, successful, and influential K-pop groups of all time.

However, the group disbanded officially in 2016 when a few drug-related controversies shook them to the core. This led to CL venturing into music as an independent artist. She even tried to break into the US market with the release of her song ‘Hello B*****s' and ‘Lifted.’  The rapper then could not release any music for the next three years. In 2019, CL dropped her EP titled ‘In the Name of Love’ which shed light on her break-up from former label YG Entertainment and how she could not release any music from 2016 to 2019.

CL’s most recent song titled ‘Post Up’ was released on September 14 and it was her first project of 2020.