A year since CL released her English-language debut single “Lifted,” the K-pop star performed her first new song during an episode of a Korean television show on Thursday night (Dec. 21).
During this week’s episode of Livin’ the Double Life, the 26-year-old singer and rapper delivered an acoustic rendition of her mellow “I’ll Be There.” Showcasing her powerful vocals, CL expressively performed the swaying, sentimental track as the television show aired behind-the-scenes footage of the K-pop star working on the song.
The song was composed by Brian Lee and features lyrics co-written by CL and Oh Hyuk of the band Hyukoh; Oh also appears on the same show as a cast member. The lyrics of “I’ll Be There” express a sense of dreariness and a state of stagnation in the face of immobility, and a chorus that promises “I’ll be there/ Wait (for me).”
“This is what I want to say to fans, so I made it through music,” CL reportedly said regarding the lyrics of “I’ll Be There.” It is her first unveiled solo song following her multi-year attempt at breaking into the U.S. market; it premiered over a year after the breakup of 2NE1, the girl group in which CL rose to prominence.
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Livin’ the Double Life began in November and airs on the Korean television channel tvN every Thursday. It focuses on exploring the dual identities of Korean artists, looking to highlight the everyday lives of the celebrities who appear on the show.