2NE1’s CL Recalls Heartbreaking Moment She Found Out About Their Disbandment [Video]

Former leader and main rapper of the famed K-pop girl group, Lee Chae-Rin, popularly known as CL, has opened up about the emotional moment she learned of 2NE1’s disbandment while at a Thanksgiving dinner five years ago.

In a recent interview with Associated Press (AP) Entertainment, the interviewer asked CL, “My colleague interviewed Minzy ages ago, and she said that she found out about the disbandment through media. How did you find out?”

“Well… I did too, to be honest,” CL replied and followed it with a loud laugh.

“I was at a Thanksgiving dinner, and my phone blew up. But yeah, those situations… That was very heartbreaking for me,” she added.

AP shared the interview in a tweet and wrote, "HEARTBREAKING: Former 2NEI member CL (@chaelinCL), who is working hard on her solo career, looks back on the disbandment of the group."

After seven years of performing together and charting hits on Billboard, 2NE1 officially disbanded in November 2016.

“But like I said, now I have a lot of freedom and control over at least what I choose to do,” CL continued, and concluded by saying, “so it’s a very exciting chapter for me.”

The group’s management agency, YG Entertainment said on Nov. 25, 2016, that 2NE1's exclusive contract expired in May of the same year and they had decided to disband the group to focus on promoting the solo careers of the members.

Prior to the announcement, singer Minzy had earlier left the group due to mental health struggles.

Ever since the split, each member has successfully pursued solo musical careers including TV and movie appearances. Despite this, Minzy, Park Bom, Sandara and CL have previously spoken about their desire to get back together as a musical act.

The 30-year-old made headlines in September for becoming one of the first K-pop artists to walk the red carpet at the Met Gala in New York City.

The “I am The Best” rapper graced the event in an Alexander Wang creation of a blue denim dress over white briefs. Blackpink’s Rosé was also at the event as a Saint Laurent ambassador.

Although it has been years since the group disbanded, 2NE1's music videos are still racking up massive views on YouTube.

Their music video for the 2014 track, "Come Back Home" surpassed 100 million views on YouTube on Dec. 9 – seven years after it premiered on the platform.

"Come Back Home" is the group’s second music video to surpass 100 million views following "I am The Best" which has already racked 306 million views since it premiered on YouTube in 2011.