From auditioning to be a dancer to becoming one of the most gifted and influential idols of her generation, CL has led a rich, vast, and promising career, and the best is yet to come.

She marked her debut as 2NE1’s leader in 2009, and the group had tremendous success with their debut track “Fire.” CL remained faithful and dedicated to her fellow members, for whom she penned their last single “Goodbye.” Being a songwriter remarkably shaped CL’s solo career, starting from her debut with “The Baddest Female” up until her latest releases for her new Korean album “In The Name Of Love.” In addition, she participated in many collaborations with Korean artists and artists outside of Korea. Throughout her path, she made a name for herself in the world of fashion and has a star-studded list of celebrity friends.

CL is a dedicated artist, a fashion icon, a role model: here are some of the many badass moments that marked her artistic timeline.

1. Her fiery attitude in “The Baddest Female” on “Inkigayo”

Combining her assertive lyrics and her uncomparable stage presence, CL’s solo debut was one for the books. Confident and daring, it goes without saying that her live performance on “Inkigayo” had “badass” written all over it!

2. Her collaborative stage with Diplo at the 2014 Style Icon Awards

We all know that CL can sing live without playback, but her ability to perfectly hit every note without an earpiece definitely deserves a nod. After singing a part of her track “MTBD,” she performed Diplo’s song “Revolution” and let me tell you, it is better than the original version by a mile. Ending her set with a bold verse from “Dirty Vibe,” CL showed us why she is undoubtedly a queen.

3. Her iconic performance at the 2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards

Who doesn’t remember this legendary moment from the 2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards? Not only was CL’s part absolutely mindblowing as she performed her single “Hello Bitches,” but the secret act that followed (alongside Sandara Park, Bom, and Minzy) was goosebump-worthy and showed us how CL is remarkable and truly thrives as both a soloist and a group member.

4. Her glamorous show at the 2016 Tokyo Girls Collection

If there is anyone who can set the stage on fire without backup dancers, it’s definitely CL! After warming up the crowd with “The Baddest Female,” “Hello Bitches,” and “Lifted,” the singer gave it her all and performed “I Am The Best” as the runway started. This show is all you need to know why she is truly the best!

5. Her killer verse in “1 Million Won” at 2016 SBS Gayo Daejun

We don’t often get to see CL in large-scale collaborations, so this one was definitely a feat. Sharing the stage with G-Dragon, BewhY, and Okasian, she stood out with an explosive verse that reminded the audience what Chaelin is all about.

6. Her epic entrance during “The Leaders” concert performance

CL simply wowed the audience with her magnificent entrance as she joined her longtime best friend and labelmate G-Dragon during his 2017 “M.O.T.T.E” tour stop in Seoul to perform “The Leaders.” If the song title isn’t proof enough that she is ahead of the game as an artist and trailblazer, maybe her flawless rap will convince you!

7. Her impressive debut on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart with “Lifted”

Breaking into the U.S. as an artist is a true challenge, and it takes a lot of preparation to stand out in this competitive music industry. With this in mind, CL has managed to make a name for herself as the first Korean female soloist to enter Billboard’s Hot 100 music chart with her U.S. debut single “Lifted” at No. 94. Prior to this achievement, she performed her track on “The Late Late Show With James Corden.”

8. Her breathtaking stage at the PyeongChang 2018 closing ceremony

Missing this particular stage of CL is a sin, given that she was one of the closing acts at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, where she delivered a truly powerful rendition. As expected, her performance received tremendous cheers from the crowd, who sang along throughout hit songs “The Baddest Female” and “I Am The Best.”

9. Her brief cameo in “Mile 22”

That’s right, CL not only made her U.S. debut as a singer, but she also landed her first Hollywood gig in a small role in the film “Mile 22.” Although her screen time was no longer than half a minute, it was more than enough to showcase her acting skills as a badass agent who works for a secret organization under the CIA. Conveniently, her character’s name is Queen.

10. Her artistic portrayal of “One and Only”

This brings us to CL’s latest achievement to date, which is none other than her long-awaited solo album release. Every song that she’s released holds a piece of her identity, but perhaps “One and Only” is the most piercing one of the bunch. Paired with captivating choreography, the lyrics emphasize how she is unapologetically herself and that nothing will get in her way. It looks like our baddest female is back, and she’s definitely here to stay!

Which of CL’s badass moments above is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

Esmee L. is a Moroccan lively dreamer, writer, and Hallyu enthusiast.