Sandara Park (산다라박), also known by the stage name Dara, is a South Korean singer, actress and host under ABYSS Company. She is a former member of the girl group 2NE1.
She made her solo debut on April 2004 with the mini album Sandara, following the end of the competition where she was the runner-up of the reality show Star Circle Quest.
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2004–2013: Star Circle Quest, Philippine success and 2NE1[]
In 2004, Park auditioned for Star Circle Quest, a talent search show on ABS-CBN. She escaped elimination multiple times and finished second behind Hero Angeles. Park signed a contract with Star Magic and starred in her first film, Bcuz of U, alongside Hero Angeles. She won Best New Actress at the 21st PMPC Star Award for Movies. Park collaborated with Hero Angeles on Can This Be Love, D' Lucky Ones, and Super Noypi. Park's music career in the Philippines led to the release of Sandara, a platinum album featuring "In or Out" and parodying Star Circle Quest. She left the show business and returned to South Korea in 2007, signing with YG Entertainment, a company she had scouted for. Park, known as Dara, joined K-pop girl group 2NE1 in 2009 and collaborated with Big Bang on promotional singles. The group released their first EP, 2NE1, and gained success with their hit single "I Don't Care." Park made her solo Korean debut in 2009, featuring on G-Dragon's Heartbreaker album and releasing her first single, "Kiss," featuring CL as a rapper. She teamed up with Lee Min-ho in 2010 for her single kiss and she also appeared with BIGBANG Member for Taeyang's "I Need A Girl" music video. 2NE1 released hit albums and songs, including "I Am the Best" (2011), "I Love You" (2012), and "Falling in Love" (2013), topping South Korea charts and becoming the second South Korean artist to top the U.S. Billboard World Digital Songs chart.
2014–2015: Return to the Philippines, renewed acting and Sugar Man[]
Park appeared as a guest on Pinoy Big Brother in May 2014, dominating social media and Twitter. She later appeared as a celebrity house-guest on All In Über and Gandang Gabi, Vice!. Park replaced Yoo In-na as a DJ on Let's Crank Up the Volume radio program in South Korea. In 2014, BeFunny Studios released a three-part web series starring Steven Yeun and Park, titled What's eating Steven Yeun. Park played Steven Yeun's American girlfriend in "Mokbang," a popular Korean internet broadcast. The comedy sketch went viral, reaching over a million views. In 2015, Park returned to the small screen with Dr. Ian, her first leading role since returning to South Korea. The series gained global popularity, surpassing 500,000 views, and Park won the "Best Actress" award at the K-web festival. Park appeared on Jinusean's stage for their single "Tell Me" and later appeared on their comeback stage. She played Noh Woo-ri in We Broke Up, a web-drama based on the web-toon. The series was successful, reaching the fourth most watched on Naver with 16 million views. Park also made cameo appearances in the television series The Producers, playing a fictional 2 Days & 1 Night variety program cast member alongside her We Broke Up co-star Kang Seung-yoon. Sandara Park, a talented actress, gained fame in 2015 for her role in Missing Korea, a romantic-comedy set in 2020. She was nominated for "Best Actress" at the 2016 K-web festival and co-hosted JTBC variety show Sugar Man from 2015 to 2016. Park's unique strength combines emotions of the younger and older generations, and she was a public relations director for YG Entertainment, allowing artists like Akmu, Winner, iKon, and Lee Hi to perform.
2016–2021: 2NE1's disbandment, domestic film debut, first solo concert[]
Park appeared in the 2016 MBC drama One More Happy Ending as a spoiled star of a girl group. The producer struggled to cast an actress for the role, but Yoo In-na's contact resolved the issue. Park also participated in the promotional single "Loving U." Park was promoted from public relations head to director and joined the judging panel of ABS-CBN's Pinoy Boyband Superstar. Simon Cowell created the format for La Banda, which became the most watched weekend program and second highest television viewership nationwide. Park Bom responded to 2NE1's disbandment by handing a letter to fans, allowing them to upload content on her behalf. Park and CL signed solo contracts, hinting at Bom's departure. Park became the host of OnStyle's beauty program Get It Beauty in 2017, and starred in her debut film One Step, a Korean remake of Begin Again. The film received praise for its professionalism. Park also participated in OnStyle's Relationship Appeal project. Controversy arose when rude remarks directed at Park were made during MBC's SeMoBang: All Broadcasting in the World collaboration segment with Piki Pictures' mobile variety team 'This is Real'. Piki Pictures apologized and MBC deleted the video. Park closed the year by performing 2NE1's past hits in a solo headlining concert. Park's first mainstream big screen role was in the webtoon Cheese in the Trap, playing Jang Bo-ra's best friend. She later starred in Lee Won Jun's 107th Year of Night, winning the International Horror Hotel Festival's "Foreign Suspense Thriller Award." Park also made regular TV appearances in Mimi Shop, Borrowing Trouble, and Real Man 300. Park performed as a special guest for Seungri on his Hong Kong and Manila tour, became a co-host for Video Star, and featured in Park Bom's single "Spring." Park also acted as a judge and advisor on Stage K. Park made her musical debut in 2020 and is set to star in Shall We Have Dinner Together as a patient seeking help with eating habits. In March 2021, ON AIR – The Secret Contract cast revealed Park as Shin Woo-ri, a writer with knowledge of DJ Aaron's secret.
2021–present: Departure from YG Entertainment and new agency, Sandara Park[]
On May 14, it was announced that Sandara had left YG Entertainment after her exclusive contract expired.[3] On September 1, ABYSS Company announced that she had officially signed with them.[4]
On June 14, ABYSS announced that Sandara would be making a comeback with a new solo album in July.[5] She later confirmed that it would be a solo special mini album for her fans.[6] On June 23, she announced her first digital EP Sandara Park, to be released on July 12.[7]
Personal life[]
Relationship[]
Sandara was in a relationship with Filipino actor Joseph Bitangcol from 2004 to 2007.[8]
15th Anniversary 2011 Family Concert • 2014 YG Family Concert in Seoul Live CD
Concerts
YG Family One Concert 2003 • YG Family Color of the Soul Train • YG Family One Concert 2004 • YG Family Thank U Concert 2005 • YG Family One Concert 2005 • YG Family One Concert 2007 • YG Family Concert 2010 • YG Family Concert 2011 • YG Family Concert in Japan • YG Family 15th Anniversary Concert
