Sandara Park | |
|---|---|
 Park in September 2022 | |
| Born | November 12, 1984 Busan, South Korea |
| Other names | Dara |
| Occupations |
|
| Agent | Star Magic (2004–2007) |
| Relatives | Thunder (brother)[1] |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | |
| Member of | 2NE1 |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 박산다라 |
| Revised Romanization | Bak Sandara |
| McCune–Reischauer | Pak Santara |
Sandara Park (Korean: 박산다라; born November 12, 1984), known mononymously as Dara (다라), is a South Korean singer, actress and television presenter.[2] She rose to fame in the Philippines as a contestant on the talent show Star Circle Quest in 2004, after which she had a successful acting and singing career before returning to South Korea in 2007. She made her Korean debut in 2009 as a member of the K-pop group 2NE1, which went on to become one of the most popular girl groups from South Korea. Park is one of the most popular Korean celebrities in the Philippines and is recognized as one of the leading figures in the spread of the Korean wave into the country.
In 2004, Park released her first EP, Sandara, which sold over 100,000 physical copies, making it the only album by a South Korean artist to be certified platinum by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI). She acted in several Philippine films between 2004 and 2007, including Bcuz of U, for which she won the award for Best New Actress the 21st PMPC Star Award for Movies. In 2009, Park released her first Korean single, "Kiss", featuring fellow 2NE1 member CL.
2NE1's hiatus beginning in 2015 allowed Park to focus on her television career, including co-hosting the South Korean variety show Two Yoo Project Sugar Man, and appearing as a judge on the Philippine talent show Pinoy Boyband Superstar. She also acted in several web series, including Dr. Ian (2016), for which she won Best Actress at a Korean web festival.
Following 2NE1's disbandment at the end of 2016, Park renewed her contract with YG Entertainment until her contract expiration in May 2021. Abyss Company announced in September that Park would be joining the agency. In July 2023, she released her first album in South Korea with the digital EP Sandara Park, which spawned the single "Festival". After 2NE1 reformed in July 2024, Park is set to resume group activities under YG Entertainment.
- ^ "Sandara's brother Thunder joining ABS-CBN's Dream Maker as mentor". Philippine Entertainment Portal. November 6, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ Okwodu, Janelle (September 22, 2016). "Meet the New K-Pop Star Making Waves on the Front Row". Vogue. Archived from the original on February 2, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2018.