The "Pambansang Krungy" is back!
K-pop icon Sandara Park is excited as she returns to Philippine showbiz, this time as main host of the newest survival talent show, "Be The Next: 9 Dreamers."
"So good to be back home. This is my second home, and it’s always wonderful to be here," Sandara expressed during a press conference held at Novotel, Cubao.
Note that Sandara actually started her showbiz career here, joining the reality show "Star Circle Quest" in 2004.
Amid burgeoning popularity, Sandara went back to Korea in 2007 to pursue a career in music.
She made her debut as part of 2NE1 in 2009.
Sandara is thrilled to help others achieve the same success she experienced through her new show.
"I’m happy that I can help these dreamers get closer to Korea. When I started with 2NE1, I was grateful for the support I received. Now, I want to do my best to bridge them to the opportunities I had,” Sandara said.
I’m thankful to everyone who supported me during my 'Star Circle Quest' days. Now it’s time for these dreamers to shine on stage, and we’ll do our best to help them reach their dreams,” she added.
Sandara's return to the Philippines is a celebration of her enduring influence on Filipino pop culture. She hopes to reaffirm her own strong ties to the nation while also inspiring a new generation of budding artists with the show.
Landing her first hosting gig, Sandara also shared that she looks forward to seeing the contestants bring their A-game to be the next P-pop boyband.
"As a host and as a fan, I'm really excited to witness another P-pop group who's up for the challenge and bringing their A-game to the show," she added.
Aside from Sandara, the show will also feature a roster of talented mentors including Park Woojin of AB6IX, Bang Ye-dam, Vinci of HORI7ON, Hyebin (formerly of MOMOLAND), famed choreographer Bae Wan Hee, and celebrated producer Bullseye.
One of the highlights of the event is the Parade of Trainees, where the 75 contestants were revealed to the media for the first time. Each individual has a unique talent and story to tell as they compete for a spot in the final 9-member group.
These dreamers will go through an intense journey, guided by an esteemed panel of mentors and judges to achieve their dreams of becoming global idols.
"Be The Next: 9 Dreamers" is a joint venture between South Korean entertainment company MLD Entertainment and TV5.
It is scheduled to debut on February 8.