CL is making big moves in preparation for her solo comeback.

Last year, she launched her own label Very Cherry. This year, she signed a domestic management contract with KONNECT Entertainment, which was established by Kang Daniel in 2019 when he debuted as a soloist.

Before the former 2NE1 member joined KONNECT Entertainment, the agency’s only client was Kang Daniel himself. Now, it will fully manage the erstwhile Wanna One center and serve as CL’s domestic manager.

As per their contract, KONNECT Entertainment will be in charge of the former 2NE1 member’s activities within South Korea. Reports state that CL will create content like albums and music videos under Very Cherry, while Kang Daniel’s agency will focus on distribution and promotion.

In a statement issued after news of their partnership was made public, KONNECT Entertainment said, “We’ll actively support CL so that she can engage in music activities as a top musician.”

Meanwhile, Very Cherry stated, “We're looking forward to the positive synergy this partnership will create.”

CL is preparing to release a new solo album titled ALPHA. She has talked about it in previous interviews, saying that it marks a new starting point in her personal and professional life. She also said that it represents her transition from “CL of 2NE1” to who she is today.

“CL is actually an alter ego for me. The concept began ever since I first appeared in front of the whole world in 2008 alongside my YG Family, at one of the end-of-year award shows,” she told W Korea Magazine.

“Starting can be scary,” she added. “I think CL means ‘courage.’ Having the ability to admit that I’m scared even as I move forward are big and small forms of courage. If my music resonates with people, I want to tell them we should have courage. That’s my way of supporting them.”

In an Instagram post she put up to announce her partnership with Kang Daniel’s agency, CL wrote, “While preparing ALPHA, I worried about how I could reach more people and communicate closely with all my domestic fans, since I’ll be greeting them for the first time in a while. In the end, I think I’ll be able to greet my fans together with a team that supports me and Very Cherry exactly the way we are, so I’m really looking forward to it!”

She finished the post by saying, “Very Cherry and I will continue joining forces without boundaries in the future as well. I’ll be greeting you next time with news about ALPHA, so please look forward to it.”