Sandara Park, now simply known as Dara, a member of the Korean girl group 2NE1, has posed for a fashion magazine.
After sporting a half-shaved hairstyle last year, the former Kapamilya talent who earned the moniker “Pambansang Krung-Krung ng Pilipinas,” is featured in a fashion spread for Elle Korea’s March 2013 issue.
Sandara channels the beauty of white and femininity in a series of photos wearing various signature brands like Gucci and Chanel, as released by the publication on its official website. Reports say that her ring with a large stone in one of her shots is a 100-carat pink diamond.
The magazine feature titled “Say My Name” traces the singer’s roots in showbiz in the Philippines until she became the famed Dara of 2NE1. She also used the name Park Sandara instead of Sandara Park.
Sandara revealed in her Elle interview, “Nowadays, even I myself feel awkward when someone calls me Park Sandara instead of Sandara Park. It sounds weird to me.”
The 30-year-old explained that she got used to being called Sandara Park, the name she was known for when she was in the Philippines and one that she continued to use for 2NE1.
Since finishing runner-up on ABS-CBN’s defunct reality talent search “Star Circle Quest (SCQ)” in 2004, Sandara juggled between stints in both film and TV while fulfilling her dream to become a recording artist. It was in 2007 when she decided to leave for her birth place South Korea, to try her luck in showbiz. In 2009, Sandara became a seminal member of 2NE1.
“I was young back then. I don’t think I’d be able to do that now. I received a lot of love in the Philippines so it hurt my heart, but I wanted to tackle a new challenge in Korea. I think I came fearlessly because I could be a part of YG (Entertainment), which had been my dream,” Sandara recalled in the same Elle interview.
She also related feeling awkward at first around her group co-members. “It was incredibly awkward. But when the three of them ate or practiced alone, I approached them first. That’s probably why we got closer quickly. I think now, the three members protect me and take care of me instead.”
As announced by the group’s record label and talent agency YG Entertainment, the rest of 2NE1 members will also appear in different fashion publications: Park Bom for Allure Korea, Lee Chae Rin (aka CL) for Bazaar Korea, and Minzy for Marie Claire Korea.