Meeting Miss Dara Park! (Interview Part 1)

Sandara Park carves a name for herself in Korea as a K-Pop star and a top endorser, after years of being labeled the Philippines’ ‘Pambansang Krung-Krung’

THE FILIPINO reality survival talent show, “Star Circle Quest,” made her the most famous teenage celebrity in the Philippines seven years ago, long before Kim Chiu.

People twice her age would do the “Sandara Wave,” even mimic her Konglish and broken Tagalog.

Some were enamored by her cute charm, some deemed her comical, and still others labeled her “krung-krung” (meaning crazy). But no one really respected her as a full-fledged artist. She was, perhaps, just a novelty.

From anonymity, to stardom, back to anonymity—the lowest point in Sandara’s local career was probably posing for a local men’s magazine in 2006, in wicked bad girl fashion, leather lingerie and all.

The year after, Sandara would leave the Philippines and the local scene for good, going home to find greener pastures in Korea.

But unlike any other tale of fleeting show biz success, Sandara’s story is quite remarkable.

While other actors are still dreaming of that one shot at fame, Sandara has reinvented herself and triumphed.

She was catapulted to superstar status and is now known as “Dara” from the K-Pop female group 2NE1 (New Evolution of the 21st Century). When you are known by your first name (like Beyonce, Madonna, Taylor, Rain), it can only mean you’ve made it big.

K-Pop group was launched in May 2009, with catchy songs like “Fire,” “I Don’t Care,” and “Go Away,” topping music charts not just in Korea, but all over Asia.

Dara was seen as fierce, stylish, and with heaps of feisty girl-power attitude, and is now respected for her ability to sing, dance, and entertain audiences. She evolved from a nobody to a somebody, and is now among the young celebrities teenage Koreans look up to.

Source: Inquirer PH