In 2014, Cube Entertainment teased their first girl group in five years since 4minute. Prior to their debut, CLC made their first appearance as back-up dancers for G.NA. The group began to gain publicity through street performances that raised money for children with disabilities. These featured on their online reality show CLC's Love Chemistry.
The original member line-up for CLC was a five-member line-up consisting of Seunghee, Yujin, Seungyeon, Sorn, and Yeeun. They released their first extended play First Love, including the lead single "Pepe", on March 19, 2015. Their debut showcase was held the day before at the Acts Hotel in Seoul, where they performed their debut song for the first time. They made their debut music show performance on M! Countdown.
On April 16, CLC released a digital single titled "Eighteen", described as a song about teenage love influenced by 1960s/70s motown and 1980s synthpop. They began promotions for the single the following day on Music Bank. Their second extended play Question was released a month later on May 28. Its lead single "궁금해 (Like)" was first performed on M! Countdown on May 28.
On February 29, 2016, CLC released their third extended play REFRESH along with title track "예뻐지게 (High Heels)". This marked the addition of two new members: Elkie and Eunbin. At the time, Eunbin was participating in the idol survival show Produce 101. Cube Entertainment stated that Eunbin had been part of the group's original lineup, but was dropped following delays in production of the group's debut album. Due to Produce 101 contractual restrictions, Eunbin was not able to promote the single "High Heels" on music shows or other broadcasts, nor appear in the single's music video. The agency planned for Eunbin to join promotions in the event that she was eliminated from the show, or else to postpone her activities as part of the group until after Produce 101 promotions if she was a winner. On February 29, a short version of the "High Heels" music video that included Elkie but omitted Eunbin was released. The full version of the music video, including Eunbin, was released on March 21.
CLC made their Japanese debut on April 13, 2016 with the release of their first Japanese extended play High Heels. The album includes the Japanese version of "Pepe", "First Love", "Like", "High Heels", and a cover of Kylie Minogue's "I Should Be So Lucky". The showcase for the album was held without Eunbin, who was still competing in Produce 101 at the time.
On May 23, 2016, Cube Entertainment began uploading group and individual photo teasers for CLC's fourth mini-album. This would mark the first release with Eunbin as an official member. From the released images, CLC showed a funky and unique concept with the use of fancy neon colors, highlighting the "sly-dol" image. On May 30, 2016, they released their fourth extended play NU.CLEAR along with title track "아니야 (No Oh Oh)". Member Yeeun participated in song-writing for three of the tracks on the album. The group made their first music show performance on Show Champion, performing both "No Oh Oh" and "One, Two, Three".
On July 27, 2016 CLC released their second Japanese extended play チャミスマ (Chamisma) in three versions, including the groups first original Japanese track "チャミスマ (Chamisma)" as title track. The word "Chamisma" is a combination of the words "Charming" and "Smile". The A version only contains the 5 tracks from the EP itself. On the B version of the CD, a version of チャミスマ with BTOB's Jung Il-hoon can be found next to the regular 5 songs, as well as the original MV for Chamisma and the MV for the version with Jung Il-hoon. The C version included a video of CLC's first Japanese showcase "First Step".
In the last month of December 2016, CLC confirmed that they would be going for a concept revamp for their next extended play. They later teased a more charismatic, hip-hop girl crush image. On January 17, 2017, CLC released their fifth extended play CRYSTYLE. The extended play contains six tracks including the EDM/trap lead single "도깨비 (Hobgoblin)". Labelmate Hyuna helped with the concept design and song-writing of the album. CRYSTYLE debuted on Billboard's World Albums chart at #6, while "Hobgoblin" peaked at #4 on the World Digital Song Sales chart.
On August 3, 2017, CLC released their sixth extended play FREE'SM. The album title is portmanteau upon the words "prism" and "free", which describes the group's musical and conceptual direction for this extended play. The album is inspired by 1990's girl groups Fin.K.L and S.E.S.. It consists of six tracks including the R&B ballad lead single "어디야? (Where Are You?)". The album debuted at #10 on the Gaon Album Chart.
On February 1, 2018, CLC released a pre-release single from their upcoming album titled "To The Sky". On February 12, their agency stated that CLC's upcoming extended play "will show off its charm and maturity by focusing on a chic and charismatic performance with a hip-hop, EDM and dance-based composition". On February 23, CLC released their seventh extended play BLACK DRESS along with title track "BLACK DRESS".
In late 2018/early 2019, Cube Entertainment announced plans for CLC's upcoming comeback. Their eighth seventh extended play No.1 on January 30. No.1 debuted at #5 on Billboard's World Albums chart. On February 12, CLC earned their first music show win on The Show with title track "No".
In May 2019, CLC released the digital single ME. In September 2019 the digital single Devil was released. After that, on September 2, 2020, CLC released the single HELICOPTER, which included the title track Helicopter as well as an English and an instrumental version.
Near the end of 2020, member Elkie asked for termination of her contract based on claims of the agency violating contract agreement and payment, as well as a lack of developmental support for the group. These claims in return sparked worries among netizen about the future of CLC, as to many this sounded like Cube would no longer spend effort into creating new CLC songs nor promotions. on February 3, 2021, Cube announced that their contract with Elkie has been terminated officially and that Elkie will no longer be a member of CLC, leaving CLC as a six-member group.
On June 7, 2021, SPOTV News reported that Yujin would be participating in Mnet's girl group debut project, Girls Planet 999.
On August 13, 2021, Yujin mentioned in an interview on Girls Planet 999 that she was told by the company that "she will no longer be working as a team" leading many to believe that CLC have possibly disbanded without an official announcement. Cube Entertainment however did not confirm the statement made.
On October 22, 2021, during the Girls Planet 999 finale, Yujin was announced as a member of Kep1er. She is currently inactive in CLC and will likely return after Kep1er's disbandment.
On November 16, 2021, Cube Entertainment announced that they had terminated their contract with Sorn and that CLC would continue as a five-member group.
On March 19, 2022, Cube Entertainment announced that Seungyeon and Yeeun’s contracts had ended with the company.
On May 20, 2022, Cube announced the group's disbandment, stating that CLC's official activities have concluded and that their U CUBE fansite will be terminated on June 6.
First love
CLC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
언제쯤 난 어른이 될까요
훌쩍 커져 버린 키만큼 내 맘은
(I want you)
마음이 따뜻한 사랑을 할래요
가슴이 떨리는 사랑을 할래요
어른이 된 것처럼
귓가에 종소리가 들려
이렇게 사랑을 배워요
어느 영화처럼
내 모든 걸 주고 싶은 사람
그대가 첫사랑이죠
내 마음에 두고 싶은 사람
그대가 내 첫사랑이죠 Oh oh oh
두근두근 뛰는 내 맘 그댈 위한 것
두근두근 설레는 맘 그대를 향한 맘
이런 게 사랑인가 봐
그댈 어쩌죠
내 안에 그대로 가득 차
어쩔 줄 모르는 나죠
나 어떡해요
내 모든 걸 주고 싶은 사람
그대가 첫사랑이죠
내 마음에 두고 싶은 사람
그대가 내 첫사랑이죠 Oh oh oh
두근두근 뛰는 내 맘 그댈 위한 것
두근두근 설레는 맘 그대를 향한 맘
이런 게 사랑인가 봐
그댈 어쩌죠
Uh uh huh hey boy
하나 둘 수놓은 듯 사랑이 꿈만 같아
머릿결을 부드럽게 쓰다듬는 너의 따뜻함
그 손길이 어쩜 나의 맘을 흔들어 놓아
눈 감아도 자꾸 생각이 나 어쩌면 좋아
널 안아 내 품 안에서
Forever with you
꽉 잡고 안 놔줄 거야
이렇게 떨리는 가슴을 내게 알려준
그 사랑 언제나 간직할게요 그대만의 선물
아직은 어리지만 모든 게 어설프지만
조금만 더 가까이 다가와 줄래요
자꾸만 더 보고 싶은 사람
그대가 내 사랑이죠
아낌없이 주고 싶은 사람
내가 찾던 사랑이죠
두근두근 뛰는 내 맘 우릴 위한 것
두근두근 설레는 맘 우릴 비추는 맘
모든 게 꿈만 같아요
그댈 사랑해
The lyrics to the song First Love by CLC express the feelings of a young girl who is experiencing first love. The song starts with the girl asking a boy if he can be her lover, and then she goes on to talk about how she wants to experience warm and trembling love like an adult. She talks about wanting to give everything to the person she loves and calls him her first love. The lyrics also express the girl's confusion and uncertainty about love as she says that she doesn't know what to do when she is filled with the thought of him.
The lyrics further describe the girl's intense feelings for the person she loves. She talks about how her heart races whenever she thinks about him and how she is unsure about how to express her feelings. She describes her love as a dream-like experience and talks about wanting to hold him tightly forever. The song ends with the girl confessing her love to the person she loves and telling him that she loves him.
Overall, the song expresses the complexities of first love and the intense feelings that come with it. The lyrics are relatable and capture the emotions of young love perfectly.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey boy, can you be my lover?
The singer is expressing interest in a romantic relationship with the addressee.
언제쯤 난 어른이 될까요
The singer is wondering when they will become an adult.
훌쩍 커져 버린 키만큼 내 맘은 (I want you) 마음이 따뜻한 사랑을 할래요 가슴이 떨리는 사랑을 할래요 어른이 된 것처럼
The singer wants to experience warm and thrilling love like an adult, despite feeling immature.
귓가에 종소리가 들려 이렇게 사랑을 배워요 어느 영화처럼
The artist is learning about love, like something from a movie, with a sound of bells in their ear.
내 모든 걸 주고 싶은 사람 그대가 첫사랑이죠 내 마음에 두고 싶은 사람 그대가 내 첫사랑이죠 Oh oh oh
The artist sees the addressee as their first love and wants to give them everything and keep them in their heart.
두근두근 뛰는 내 맘 그댈 위한 것 두근두근 설레는 맘 그대를 향한 맘 이런 게 사랑인가 봐 그댈 어쩌죠
The singer's heart beats with excitement and they feel like they're in love with the addressee, but they don't know what to do.
내 안에 그대로 가득 차 어쩔 줄 모르는 나죠 나 어떡해요
The singer's heart is full of feelings for the addressee and they don't know how to handle it.
Uh uh huh hey boy
The artist addresses the addressee again.
하나 둘 수놓은 듯 사랑이 꿈만 같아
The artist feels like their love is just a dream that is slowly coming true.
머릿결을 부드럽게 쓰다듬는 너의 따뜻함 그 손길이 어쩜 나의 맘을 흔들어 놓아 눈 감아도 자꾸 생각이 나 어쩌면 좋아
The artist is moved by the addressee's warm touch and it makes their heart tremble. They can't stop thinking about them.
널 안아 내 품 안에서 Forever with you 꽉 잡고 안 놔줄 거야 이렇게 떨리는 가슴을 내게 알려준 그 사랑 언제나 간직할게요 그대만의 선물
The singer wants to hold the addressee tight and keep their love forever as a precious gift.
아직은 어리지만 모든 게 어설프지만 조금만 더 가까이 다가와 줄래요
Despite feeling clumsy and young, the artist wants to get closer to the addressee.
자꾸만 더 보고 싶은 사람 그대가 내 사랑이죠 아낌없이 주고 싶은 사람 내가 찾던 사랑이죠
The singer loves the addressee and wants to give them everything they have been searching for.
두근두근 뛰는 내 맘 우릴 위한 것 두근두근 설레는 맘 우릴 비추는 맘 모든 게 꿈만 같아요 그댈 사랑해
The singer's heart beats strongly for the addressee and everything feels like a dream. They express their love for the addressee.
Writer(s): Nak Ho Sung
Contributed by Joshua S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.