K-pop idol Sandara Park cried as she recalled her parents' divorce when she was young that resulted in her being the family's breadwinner.
Before debuting in 2NE1 in 2009, Sandara (or Dara) and her family moved to the Philippines when she was just 11 years old. It was in the Philippines where she launched showbiz career after competing in the first edition of “Star Circle Quest,” a talent competition that aired on ABS-CBN from March to June 2004. She became an actress and singer.
Sandara Park cries as she recalls being the breadwinner and her parents' divorce (Screenshots from Channel A video on YouTube)
Sandara Park with Korean actresses Oh Yoon-ah, Oh Hyun-kyung and Han Ji-hye during the "Table for 4" program (Screenshots from Channel A video on YouTube)
But because of the divorce, Sandara became the breadwinner.
Sandara told her life when she became a guest in the April 15 episode of the Korean TV network Channel A’s show “Table for 4,” together with Korean actresses Oh Yoon-ah, Oh Hyun-kyung and Han Ji-hye.
During the show, Sandara said, "I moved to the Philippines when I was in elementary school. The Philippines was where I kicked off my career. It all happened after I participated in the survival audition show," SBS News reported.
Sandara Park when she was young (Screenshots from Channel A video on YouTube)
Sandara Park in Manila (Instagram)
"A lot of people ask me how I became part of the entertainment industry when I have such a shy personality, but I don't know. I only go wild on stage. Typically, I'm quite reserved. I've never raised my voice or gotten into fights with anyone. When I do get angry, I tend to keep it to myself and release it through shopping," she said.
When the actresses asked her why she became like that, Sandara cried as she recalled her life.
"Well, I was the eldest daughter and the one supporting the family. Our parents divorced when we were teenagers. That's why..." she said.
She said she was looking after her family while she was in showbiz in the Philippines and continues to do it until now.
"Yeah, I did. I'm still the main one looking after them,” she said.
Sandara, 39, has two siblings: Former K-pop boy band MBLAQ member Thunder, 33, and Durami, 35.
"My brother, Thunder, recently shared on air, 'Reflecting on our time in the Philippines, I can't help but think about what Dara must have been going through. I didn't fully grasp it at the time, but as time passed, it started to sink in.' Reading an article about this brought me to tears," Sandara revealed.