Sandara Park, or Dara, made her solo debut in Korea by her first Korean album “Sandara Park” on July 12.
The album contains the title track “Festival,” which samples the song of the same name by singer and “Dr. Cha” star Uhm Jung-hwa, and “Play!,” “Dara Dara (Prod. Gray),” “T Map (Prod. Heize)” and “Happy Ending (Prod. SWJA).”
Sandara Park released her debut Korean album on July 12 (Twitter)
“Sandara Park” is her debut Korean album while back in the Philippines in 2004, before she debuted in 2NE1, she released the album “Sandara,” which had English and Filipino songs.
Dara was featured on the YouTube channel 1theK Originals’ “Look Me Up” on July 12 wherein she talked about the album, 2NE1, career in the Philippines and personal stuff.
“When I say it's my first solo debut, my fans in Philippines will tell me not to forget my Park Sandara album. My first solo album in Korea got released after 20 years. Sandara Park, I am back with music that's perfect for me,” said Dara.
She added, “The album is full of happy music and since this album is my first solo album, I want to say it's an album like a love letter filled with stories.”
“It's been a long time since I stopped doing my original job so I think the fans who missed singer Sandara must be feeling happier than me,” she said.
The music video for “Festival” uploaded on Dara’s YouTube channel garnered one million views in 18 hours after release.
For “Look Me Up,” Dara read the entries about her and 2NE1 on Namuwiki, Korea’s version of Wikipedia.
Before she debuted in 2NE1 in 2009, Dara started her showbiz career in the Philippines, becoming an actress and singer.
“There are many people who think I have nationality in the Philippines. Philippines is my second home. My nationality is Korean,” she said.
When she saw the entry “former group - 2NE1,” she said, “This is so sad,” adding that “because it doesn't mean we're not 2NE1 because we disbanded.”
She also discussed her career in the Philippines including her “love team” with Filipino actor Hero Angeles.
“In the Philippines, there's a thing called Love team. For example, an actor and actress did a soap opera together and their chemistry was great. Then a fandom happens. I used to work as a couple called 'HeroSan.' (Strict business relationship) with Hero back then,” she said.
Her Namuwiki entry also stated that she was in charge of rap in 2NE1, which she denied.
“I wasn't in charge of rap. CL and MINZY were rappers. I did a twangy rap in the rap part of ‘Fire.’ In the 'You got the fire' part I did it by chance, but then YG listened to the recorded version and asked, 'Who is this? CL or MINZY?' Teddy answered 'This is Sandara.' That's how it happened and I got to do more killing parts after that,” said Dara.
In April last year, 2NE1 reunited and performed at Coachella.
“We were performing after 7, 8 years when we performed at Coachella so I thought people won't know who we are. Since it's time for 4th generation idols, I went there without expectations but the screams when our stage started and the sing-along for 'I AM THE BEST' were like a movie. I felt like the protagonist of a movie in that 3~4 minutes,” she said.
Dara said 2NE1 could have been legends if they only continued. 2NE1 disbanded in 2016.
“We could've become true legends if we continued without disbanding,” she added.
About a 2NE1 reunion, Dara said, “I really have no clue. Because we're all in different agencies so that's one hassle. I guess when all four of us are free. Should we have to be jobless? All of us found new nests now and I guess YG will be busy at the moment working on TREASURE and BABY MONSTER. Everyone is busy, so busy.”