Sandara Park: Dara Of 2NE1 Prepares For Her Comeback On Philippine Television As Judge On ‘Pinoy Boyband Superstar’

So far, 2016 hasn’t been a very good year for the K-pop industry. Over the course of the year, we have seen either group members leave their respective K-pop groups or K-pop groups disband entirely. Starting with KARA disbanding back in February, the bad news that followed was Jia leaving Miss A, Di, T-ae, and Xia leaving Rania, and 4Minute disbanding. However, the saddest news pertaining to members leaving or K-pop groups disbanding was when Minzy chose not to re-sign with YG Entertainment, causing her to leave 2NE1. Blackjacks around the world mourned the loss of their favorite K-pop girl group’s maknae. Although right now, Minzy is establishing herself as a soloist under her new entertainment agency, The Music Works.

Summarized, Minzy has moved on from being a part of 2NE1. The same goes with the remaining members too. Everyone knows that CL is promoting her American album, while Park Bom is still in reflection. Sandara Park, on the other hand, will be making her return to Philippine television. Right now, she is preparing to be a judge on Pinoy Boyband Superstar.

News of Sandara Park returning to Philippine television first appeared late last month. According to ABS-CBN, Sandara will be one of four judges for their new reality talent search show titled Pinoy Boyband Superstar. She will be joined by comedian Vice Ganda, singer Yeng Constantino, and a “surprise” judge.

Mico Del Rosario, an ABS-CBN manager, uploaded a video of Sandara Park expressing her excitement with Pinoy fans in which she says, “This is going to be exciting. See you Kapamilya. Mahal ko kayo!” which translates as, “This is going to be exciting. See you Kapamilya (Family). I love you all!”

Apparently, being a host for a reality talent search show is a dream come true for Sandara Park, as reported by Cebu Daily News. Prior to Sandara becoming a K-pop idol alongside CL, Bom, and Minzy to form 2NE1, she was trying to make a name for herself in the Philippine entertainment industry through singing. Back in 2004, she auditioned for reality talent search show Star Circle Quest. Throughout the course of the show, Sandara escaped elimination several times, reaching the top ten contestants despite the trouble she had due to her Korean ethnicity. Eventually, Sandara’s success on Star Circle Quest resulted in other career endeavors as she entered acting. Sandara Park starred in Krystala and Crazy For You.

The producers of the upcoming reality talent search show are keeping hype strong prior to Pinoy Boyband Superstar airing. According to Push, they recently flew to Seoul, South Korea for a photo shoot with Sandara. They even provided some behind-the-scenes pictures for Filipino viewers anticipating Sandara’s return, as shown above.

The last time Sandara Park was in the Philippines was to endorse a Pinoy fashion retail brand. According to Philstar, Sandara became the newest member of Team Penshoppe, and while in the country, she shot her first campaign to market their clothes. Cliff Watts, a popular photographer, flew in from New York specifically for the shoot as well. Nevertheless, Sandara Park joins many A-list celebrities who are international endorsers too, including Cara Delevingne, Kendall Jenner, Nina Dobrev, Leighton Meester, Ed Westwick, Josh Bowman, Mario Maurer, Ian Somerhalder, and Sean O’Pry (currently the world’s highest-paid model).

The air date for Pinoy Boyband Superstar has yet to be revealed, but it is believed the show will air before 2NE1 makes their K-pop comeback as a three-member group. Since Minzy left, there has been much speculation that 2NE1 will release a new song sometime before the end of the year. However, such speculation holds very little credibility because it was predicted 2NE1 were to release a new album late last year. As we, along with Blackjacks know, that did not happen.

[Image via YG Entertainment Promotions for 2NE1 Studio Album To Anyone]