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.
Mistake
CLC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
오랜 친구 사이
매일 싸워 안 맞아 우리 사이
내 말이 Eh eh eh oh
하필 그날따라 남자로 보였나 봐
글쎄 그만 입을 맞춰 버린 거야
Oops I did eh eh eh oh
사실 가끔씩은
널 보면 설레던 내 맘을
모른 척했는데 이제
널 어떡해 Oh oh
어떻게 됐었나 봐
Oh my my mistake
너랑 나랑 왜
Oh no 이건 안 돼
Oh oh oh oh oh oh no
Oh my my mistake
맘이 내 맘이 왜
Oh no 절대 안 돼
Oh oh oh oh oh oh no
절대 인정 안 해
맞아 그건 실수
근데 자꾸 생각이 나
네 그 입술
기억하기 싫어
너무 길고 길었던
둘 사이의 어색한 침묵
그래 너도 알지
내가 느낀 바와 같이
친구 이상이 되고
싶다는 건 맞지
이리 와 내게 말해봐
기회 줄 때 더 잘해봐
언제부터일까
자꾸만 떨리는 내 맘을
아닌 척했는데 이제
나 어떡해 Oh
어떻게 좀 됐나 봐
Oh my my mistake
너랑 나랑 왜
Oh no 이건 안 돼
Oh oh oh oh oh oh no
Oh my my mistake
맘이 내 맘이 왜
Oh no 절대 안 돼
Oh oh oh oh oh oh no
Oh 어쩌면 예전부터
이렇게 될 줄 알았었나 봐
Oh oh oh oh oh oh no
너를 언제까지나 곁에 두고 싶은 걸
혹시 떠나버릴 사랑 따윈 난 싫어 No
Oh my my mistake
Oh my my mistake
Oh 택시는 하필 왜 그리 없던지
빨개졌던 얼굴 이불킥 Ah
전화 좀 그만해 안 받아
눈치도 없네 이 남자
Oh my my mistake
너랑 나랑 왜
Oh no 이건 안 돼
oh oh oh oh oh oh no
Oh my my mistake
맘이 내 맘이 왜
Oh no 절대 안 돼
Oh oh oh oh oh oh no
The song "Mistake" by CLC tells the story of two longtime friends who have been fighting every day and are now in an awkward situation after one mistakenly kissed the other. The singer realizes, after the kiss, that she has had feelings for her male friend for some time, but had never confessed them. She tries to hide her emotions, but it becomes increasingly difficult, especially as she spends more time with him. The chorus "Oh my my mistake, 너랑 나랑 왜, Oh no 이건 안 돼" translates to "Oh my my mistake, why you and me, oh no this can't happen."
The song's message is relatable to those who have struggled with unrequited feelings for a friend and the fear of potentially ruining the friendship by expressing them. The music video portrays a cute and lighthearted story of the two friends, but it also hints at the deeper emotions and struggles of the singer. The lyrics use both Korean and English, adding to the international appeal of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey boy 너와 나 Eh
Addressed towards a boy, the lyrics indicate that the singer and the boy in question have been long-time friends.
오랜 친구 사이
Reiterating the first line, the lyrics translate to indicate that the singer and the boy have been friends for quite some time.
매일 싸워 안 맞아 우리 사이
Although the singer and the boy have been friends for a while, they do not always get along and tend to bicker a lot.
내 말이 Eh eh eh oh
The line following the discord between the singer and the boy suggests that the singer is trying to make a point that she feels is important.
하필 그날따라 남자로 보였나 봐
On a particular day, the boy did something that caused the singer to suddenly see him as more than just a friend.
글쎄 그만 입을 맞춰 버린 거야
However, the boy didn't seem to feel the same way and the singer feels as though she may have been wrong about her feelings.
Oops I did eh eh eh oh
The line serves as a lighthearted acknowledgement of the singer's mistake in assuming that the boy shared her feelings.
사실 가끔씩은
In reality, the singer has moments where she feels nervous around the boy, indicating a deeper attraction.
널 보면 설레던 내 맘을
When she sees the boy, the singer's heart races with excitement.
모른 척했는데 이제
Despite her fondness for the boy, the singer has been keeping her feelings hidden.
널 어떡해 Oh oh
Now that she has realized her attraction, the singer wonders what she should do next and how she can confess her feelings.
어떻게 됐었나 봐
The line indicates that the singer is trying to figure out when her feelings for the boy became so strong.
Oh my my mistake
The recurring line serves as a reminder that the singer made a mistake in thinking that the boy shared her feelings and has now paid the price.
너랑 나랑 왜
The lyrics question why the boy and the singer cannot be together, despite their strong friendship.
Oh no 이건 안 돼
The line suggests that there may be a reason why the singer and the boy cannot transition from friends to something more serious.
절대 인정 안 해
The boy is unwilling to admit that there may be something more than just friendship between himself and the singer.
맞아 그건 실수
The artist recognizes that perhaps confessing to the boy was a mistake, but they cannot seem to forget about it.
근데 자꾸 생각이 나
Despite the mistake, the singer cannot get her thoughts off of the boy.
네 그 입술
The singer finds herself specifically thinking about the boy's lips, intensifying her feelings towards him.
기억하기 싫어
Realizing these feelings may complicate things further, the singer tries to forget and push the thoughts away.
너무 길고 길었던
The lyrics describe the awkward silence that settles in between the two friends as they try to navigate their feelings for one another.
둘 사이의 어색한 침묵
The two find themselves in a strange place where they have known each other for so long that they struggle to find their footing with each other.
그래 너도 알지
The singer is aware that the boy likely also has feelings for her but is pretending not to.
내가 느낀 바와 같이
The lyrics suggest that the boy is aware of the singer's true feelings, but neither are willing to admit it to each other.
친구 이상이 되고
The lyrics express the singer's hopes of taking their friendship to the next level and becoming more than just friends.
싶다는 건 맞지
The singer recognizes that the idea of being more than friends is something worth pursuing.
이리 와 내게 말해봐
The singer pleads with the boy to admit his feelings and communicate with her about where they stand with each other.
기회 줄 때 더 잘해봐
Asking for some clarity, the lyrics suggest that if there is an opportunity for the two to be more than friends, they should pursue it.
언제부터일까
The singer cannot pinpoint exactly when or how her feelings for the boy developed.
자꾸만 떨리는 내 맘을
The lyrics describe a feeling of nervousness and excitement that the singer experiences in the boy's presence.
아닌 척했는데 이제
The singer is tired of pretending that her feelings do not exist and wants to express herself authentically.
나 어떡해 Oh
The singer is struggling to navigate her feelings and does not know how to proceed in this situation.
어떻게 좀 됐나 봐
The lyrics suggest that the singer is at a point of confusion and does not know what has led her to this emotional state.
Oh 어쩌면 예전부터
The lyrics explore the possibility that the singer and the boy have had these feelings for each other for quite some time without recognizing them as romantic.
이렇게 될 줄 알았었나 봐
The lyrics suggest that perhaps this attraction was always meant to be the next step in their relationship and they merely weren't aware of it.
너를 언제까지나 곁에 두고 싶은 걸
The singer is expressing a desire to have the boy around her in a more long-term sense.
혹시 떠나버릴 사랑 따윈 난 싫어 No
The lyrics indicate that the singer is not interested in a relationship that may not be long lasting or a love that might abandon her in the future.
Oh 택시는 하필 왜 그리 없던지
The lyrics express the singer's frustration that things seem to be going wrong specifically when it comes to the boy.
빨개졌던 얼굴 이불킥 Ah
The lyrics paint an image of the singer blushing and feeling embarrassed over her feelings for the boy.
전화 좀 그만해 안 받아
The singer is reluctant to communicate further because of the awkwardness between her and the boy.
눈치도 없네 이 남자
The lyrics highlight the boy's lack of awareness, perhaps indicating he is oblivious to the singer's feelings for him.
Contributed by Taylor J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.