CLC

CLC (Hangul: 씨엘씨; an acronym for "CrystaL Clear") was a South Korean girl group formed by Cube Entertainment in 2015. The group's most active line-up was formed by 7-members: Seunghee (승희), Yujin (유진), Seungyeun (승연), Sorn (쏜), Yeeun (예은), Elkie (엘키) and Eunbin (은빈).

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, 2015, CLC released a digital single titled "Eighteen", described as a song about teenage love influenced by 1960s/70s motown and 1980s synthpop. .

On May 28, 2015, their second extended play Question was released, along with the lead single "궁금해 (Like)" .

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.

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".

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 netizens 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 would 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. However Cube Entertainment did not confirm the statement made.

On October 22, 2021, Yujin finished 3rd in the Girls Planet 999 finale and secured her place as a member and the leader of the girl group Kep1er.

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 December 3, 2021, Sorn signed with Wild Entertainment Group as a solo artist.

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 discontinuation of the group's activities, stating that they have no further CLC's official activities to provide and their U CUBE fansite would be terminated on June 6.

Since the announcement - On August 11, 2022, SuperBell Company revealed that Yeeun signed a contract with them as a solo artist. On February 8, 2023, Seungyeon signed with Wild Entertainment Group, joining Sorn.

On March 7, 2023, Sorn commented on the group's status on a TikTok live stating that they "did not disband" and "right now everyone's just doing their own thing." She also explained her departure from Cube Entertainment, saying that it was because they allegedly did not want to promote CLC as a group any more.