UPDATED with better translation 🙂

It gets tired for an idol who has to live through this ‘multi-talented genius’ phase. It’s because they cannot gain fame just by singing well. They can only survive as celebrities when they can sing, dance, and talk well. On stage they show us their laser-eyed charisma but when on variety shows, they turn totally 180 and take a step closer to the viewers.

Then one day I realized. There was a TV show special featuring the girl groups like SNSD, Kara, and Brown Eyed Girls and all the names of the members rung a bell in [my] head, but 2NE1 was nowhere to be found. Now that [I] think of it, except for the music programs, 2NE1 is almost nowhere to be found.

I got curious. I wanted to know their secret on how they survive this ‘multi-talented genuis’ idol phase without being pushed over and also how they are able to walk on their own paths.

So I went through 2NE1’s public representative Sandara Park (26 year old, real name: Sandara Park)’s diary. Can be regarded as a ‘Korean wave front-runner’ Sandara Park was first exposed in October of 2004, not through a music or variety program, but a TV documentary called “Human Theatre”. 4 years and 5 months later, Sandara Park with the 2NE1 members take over the music industry of Korea.

The Sandara Park back during her trainee days was indeed calm. She was the most enviable with her clear skin that let her looked much younger than she actually was. Sandara Park approached me without any pretense, as is her appearance.

Asia-Economy-Report News is finally able to sit down with Sandara Park for a 12 part interview. From ‘Little girl’ to ‘Korean wave front-runner’ Dara, ‘Star’s Diary’ will reveal Sandara Park’s thoughts. And on top of that 2NE1’s secret to popularity will be analyzed.

“Did I make a mistake? Did I do something wrong? There isn’t…”

Being told that she would be on ‘Star’s Confession’ Sandara Park’s round eyes became rounder and her face was filled with surprise.

“I thought that I did something really wrong and had to confess to it. When I heard I’d be doing ‘Star’s Confession’ my heart pounded and I thought ‘what is this’. (Laughs)”

Suppressing a laugh at her innocent face [I said], “Are you that surprised? I then said ‘How about we change the name to Star’s Diary?’ and finally Dara smiled. So therefore the series titled ‘Star’s Confession’ changed its name to ‘Star’s Diary’.”

“Sandara, from now on we’ll have fun talking about you. Okay?”

Sandara Park on stage is gorgeous. Well defined features and a refined individuality flows from her. On top of that she is natural and is fresh, with no pretense. The music she expresses is just like that. There is no excess decoration but it is still powerful and individualistic.

When she comes down from stage and erases the dark eye liner and the gorgeous make-up, she shows another charm of hers that is unthinkable of.

With her no make-up face and ordinary looking clothing, Sandara Park has no pretense like ordinary girl groups. Truthful and honest. Sandara Park’s manner of speech, take away her aegyo (cute act), is constructive and truthful, also [enables others] to laugh.

“To people I meet for the first time, I’m kind of quiet. I don’t have much confidence. That’s why variety shows are hard. Especially going to ‘Family Outing’ as a guest for one episode, that was like poison. I felt it myself.”

Last mid-November, Sandara Park was featured in ‘Family Outing’ with girl group After School. That day ‘Family Outing’s focus on UEE sparked some debate.

“After recording, I had a hunch [the show was] going to lean in favor of UEE. During the whole recording session, unlike UEE’s charm, I had a quiet image. I couldn’t say a word. I decided ‘This is not the place for me’.”

This side of herself was a bit disappointing for Sandara Park, herself. But she acknowledged the fact that she can’t follow the variety-show styles and has moved on.

“Mr. YG and other members comforted me after watching ‘Family Outing’. Do you know what they said? YG said, ‘Dara, it’s okay. You’re just not good at this.’ Members said, ‘You were cute, small next to [the other people].’ It’s supposed to be comforting right? (laughs)”

Source: ASIAE

Credit: YGSecret21

Translated by lovesong @ ygsecret21.com

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Thanks, pinkyasumi @ twitter for the tip. =)