“Hello! Nandyan pa ba kayo?”

This is how Sandara Park addressed her Filipino fans when she last visited Manila in August 2008.

She added back then: “Be patient...para ‘pag naging Korean star na ako babalik ako dito para mas masaya.”

Sandara definitely owes her local fans a visit. She is now a big Korean star --and her star is about to shine even brighter.

Last Sept. 7, Sandara released her digital single "Kiss" through the Korean record label YG Entertainment. It is now commercially available online.

“Kiss” is an offshoot of the recording success of Sandara’s very popular Korea-based girl group, 2NE1.

Many may not be aware but Park, who made a name in the Philippines as one of ABS-CBN’s Star Circle Quest’s talents, is now an international sensation as one of the four girls of 2NE1 (also called New Evolution of the 21st century).

The group is big in Korea and other parts of Asia.

As YG informed: ``2NE1 is a group consisting of [members] with strong personalities. Following Sandara's `Kiss,' three other members (CL, Minzy and Bom) will also unveil their own solo songs.''

For now, it is Sandara’s "Kiss" that is taking the World Wide Web by storm.

The recording career of Sandara as member of 2NE1 immediately blossomed upon the release of the group’s first song, “Lollipop,” last March. The single, originally produced to promote LG phones, was an instant hit due to its danceable beat.

“Lollipop” was followed by two other songs: “Fire” and “I Don’t Care” both of which became instant favorites, too.

Proof of 2NE1’s worldwide popularity is the mention of their hit songs in the popular blog of Hollywood writer, Perez Hilton.

As a result of the girl group’s popularity, a U.S. recording label is said to be interested in collaborating with YG Entertainment.

In the meantime, the fame of 2NE1 has given Sandara, now called Dara, a flourishing career not only in the music industry but in other media.

She is an endorser of Cass Beer together with no less than Lee Min Ho of “Boys Over Flowers.” Sandara is also set to star in a drama program.

It will be recalled that Sandara left for Korea in 2007 after her showbiz career in the Philippines turned lackluster.

During her visit last year, Sandara informed the press that she was training to again become a star, but in her birthplace Korea.

“Medyo busy dahil everyday may workshop ako, may voice lesson, dance lesson, naggi-gym din ako,” she cited, adding that she missed the country specially the foods “sinigang and pinakbet.”

But Park may find it hard to taste the said dishes again and return to the Philippines because her group is still very busy wrapping up work on their new album which is set for release next month.

“They seem to be the toast of the town now,” said a local K-Pop (Korean Pop) fan about 2NE1, citing that other Korean girl groups like Girls’ Generation and Wonder Girls are currently taking a backseat to Sandara’s group.

“I hope that they continue to be successful and not just be a flash-in-the-pan,” the fan said.