The former 2NE1 member SANDARA PARK, also known as Dara, made her long-awaited solo debut in July 2023, 14 years after her first appearance in the K-Pop scene as part of 2NE1 in 2009 with their legendary self-titled debut mini-album.

'SANDARA PARK' is an album that shows a different side of the singer compared to the concept 2NE1 has been known for swag vibes with powerful songs, including "I Am The Best" and "FIRE." It's an album where you get to enter the singer's electrifying wonderland.

Dara's solo debut record is a digital mini-album, and it consists of five new songs: the title song "FESTIVAL," a remake of Uhm Jung Hwa's 1999 track of the same name, and the B-sides "PLAY!," "DARA DARA (Prod. GRAY)," "T MAP (Prod. Heize)," and "HAPPY ENDING (Prod. SWJA)." 

The songs and visuals in Dara's album perfectly capture the essence of the summer season and its theme park concept, highlighting her bright and lovely persona.

In August 2023, Dara was able to finally perform songs of her own in front of a massive crowd at the 'Acer' event held in Manila and the 'Water Bomb' festival in Suwon, among others, where she had the opportunity to showcase her unwavering distinct coolness and stage presence as a solo artist.

Shout-out from Sandara Park to allkpop:

allkpop had the pleasure of sitting down with Sandara Park before she took the stage at a joint concert in Manila on August 6. During the interview, Dara shared her thoughts on finally debuting as a solo, her desire to write more songs in the future, and more. Read on below to learn more about the iconic K-Pop idol!

allkpop: First of all, welcome to Manila, and congratulations on your solo debut! How does it feel to be back with new music and performing, as a solo artist, and doing the "FESTIVAL" dance challenge with a bunch of idols, from the 2nd to the 4th gen idols?

Dara: I'm really happy to be back and to finally perform my own songs because back then I felt sorry for my fans because I hadn't had any new songs for 7 years. Now, I have a reason to come back and perform my own songs, so I'm really excited. It was kind of awkward to do the dance challenge with the 4th generation idols because they are so young, and it was my first time meeting them. They treat me like a real sunbaenim like, "Hello [bows]! Hello [bows]!" It was awkward at first but now, I'm friends with them, and it's really fun!

allkpop: You'll be performing in a few minutes! Do you feel nervous before taking the stage? If so, how do you calm yourself down? Do you have any pre-show routines or preparations?

Dara: Actually, I'm not nervous before going up to the stage but I'm becoming more sensitive, so I keep quiet and I need and have to have my own time to do mind control and eat before the concert but I shouldn't be full so my body would just be light, just snacks, vitamins, and energy drinks so I will have my energy on stage.

allkpop: You've written songs for your album - that's so impressive that you took part in the album creation! Has writing a song been on your bucket list for a while now? Now, that you've done it. What's your next big goal?

Dara: I always wanted to write lyrics to my own songs because I have loved writing diaries since I was in elementary school. Finally, I got to use my own stories on my own songs. I'm really happy that I can emote more and express more of my feelings that are also relatable to my listeners. I'm planning to write more lyrics to my songs, and hopefully, for other artists as well!

allkpop: Back then, you were preparing alongside your members, but now, this is the very first time you've worked on a solo album. What was the most difficult and the most fun part of preparing for your first solo album?

Dara: The most difficult thing was to get nice songs for my album because I don't have any producers. I was like the executive producer for this album. I made a lot of producers for my album outside. That's the difficult thing, but also the fun part because it's really fresh working with new people. They brought out the new Sandara Park in me. It was difficult and fun at the same time.

allkpop: You said that the whole process was burdensome and that you were worried about your fans’ reactions. How do you usually handle the things that are out of your control? What do you usually do to overcome the tension and worry?

Dara: You know, most of the 2NE1 songs were No. 1. Of course, there was a lot of burden on me, but I tried to change my mindset because I've already done it before, so now, I'm okay with it. I can just have fun. But, of course, I'll be so happy to get the No. 1 spot on the charts, but if I get nothing, that's fine with me. I'm already old enough and I already experienced it before when I was young.

allkpop: The concept of this album is so cute and lovely - and it suits you well, but do you have any concepts or musical genres in mind that you'd like to experiment with for your future releases?

Dara: I think this album concept suits me well because I'm a bright and cheerful person. But in the future, I would want to try dark and sexy music. Not as powerful as 2NE1 songs, but something dark, so I can show a different side of me.

allkpop: You've been in the K-Pop industry for more than a decade now. If there is something you can tell your past self, your trainee self, what would you tell her?

Dara: I just want to tell myself to enjoy it. Before I didn't really go out and meet my friends, just work, work, and work. Sometimes I realize that I need rest and vacation to relieve my stress. Work hard, play harder, eat hardest. (laughs)

allkpop: Your schedule nowadays is so hectic! After this, you'll perform at the 'Waterbomb' festival. But are there any hobbies or activities you have taken an interest in lately? What hobbies do you do during your spare time?

Dara: I don't think I have any hobbies, I just ride a bike sometimes at Han River because that's the only thing I can do at night.

allkpop: You've worked with a lot of people already. I wanted to ask: Is there anything, perhaps a piece of advice or lesson, that you've heard from your colleagues or fans that stick to you, that you bring with you until now? Maybe something that helps you with your journey? Something that you learned from your colleagues that you apply until now?

Dara: They always tell me to enjoy it, and that my songs suit me very well and I shouldn't worry. I worry that the public is used to seeing powerful performances on stage, but this time, it's just all about having fun on stage. At first, I was super worried, asking myself if this was okay, but my colleagues and friends said that I still look cool on stage so don't worry and just be yourself.

Toward the end of the interview, Dara relayed her wish to hold a solo fan meeting or concert so she could perform not only the album's title track but all the B-sides from her solo debut album.

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