Dara, Thunder embark on ‘Food Trip’ in PH

‘I am really happy but it’s like, for me, I feel awkward (because she’s family).’ – Thunder

Korean entertainment channel tvN Asia will air a new original TV production this month focusing on several Asian countries including the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia.

Park siblings Dara (right) and Thunder pose for a photo after their interview with Bulletin Entertainment

K-pop stars and real-life siblings Sandara Park, or Dara, and Thunder team up against TV host Grace Lee and radio DJ Sam YG in the Philippine leg of “One Night Food Trip-International Edition.” Premiering Oct. 10, it is a travel-food TV program featuring Korean and Filipino celebrities.

The two teams will travel separately to two Philippine destinations and complete missions involving local food, culture and attractions within 48 hours. Once a team completes a mission, they get a chop or stamp on their “One Night Food Trip” passport. The team that gets the most chops will win and get a golden passport.

The international edition is different from the Korean TV show of the same name as each team is required not just to eat but accomplish other missions.

In an exclusive one-on-one interview with Bulletin Entertainment, Dara and Thunder talked about the new TV show, the Philippines and their career.

For the first time, the two are working together on the same TV show through “One Night Food Trip-International Edition.”

“Actually I met him a few times (on TV shows) but this is the first time that we’re doing a show together. I am very excited. I was waiting for this chance to come. It’s been like eight years that we started working in Korea. After eight years, it’s our first time together,” Dara said.

Thunder said, “I am really happy but it’s like, for me, I feel awkward (because she’s family). It’s hard” to which Dara replied “I understand.”

This is also a homecoming for Thunder as he has not visited the Philippines in 10 years.

“One Night Food Trip-International Edition” proved to be a challenge for Dara.

“This TV show is very famous for eating a lot. We have to eat a lot and get the stamp. Honestly wala akong balak na sumali sa mga food shows kasi we have very small appetite. So I know what’s gonna happen. The only reason I said yes was because I was with him and the second reason is that we’re coming to the Philippines so I said ‘OK. Go!’” she explained.

Dara said the international edition is different from the Korean version as “it’s all in English.”

“They’re choosing people from K-pop or Korean industry who can speak English. I think it’s nice and it will be shown in 10 Asian countries. I’m really excited for Asian fans to watch us,” she added.

‘One Night Food Trip-International Edition’ presscon at Chaos of City of Dreams Manila with (from left) Geoff Andres, property president, City of Dreams Manila; Anne Chan, chief operating officer of CJ E&M Hong Kong; Thunder; Dara; Grace Lee; Sam YG; Charo Lagamon, Cebu Pacific director of corporate communication; and Arnold Gonzales, OIC media relations of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines.

Before becoming K-pop stars in Korea, the two siblings studied and spent many years in the Philippines.

“Before I was just a high school student so my life was very simple before I joined showbiz. (Thunder) doesn’t remember anything because he was 12 or 13 when he left (the Philippines). We only remember school, siomai, Jollibee. But for me, alam nyo naman na I’m here every month. Parang second home ko na ’to,” Dara said.

Asked what’s his fondest memories of the Philippines, Thunder, who studied in a Chinese school in Pasay City, said, ““For me, when I went to my sister’s (‘Star Circle Quest’ grand finals in 2004). I was in the audience. The second thing was I was a member of the badminton varsity. I always got a medal.”

As for their favorite Filipino food, Dara named sinigang na hipon, sisig while Thunder mentioned Chickenjoy and pizza.

Asked to name places in the Philippines they want to visit, Dara said, “I think I’ve visited all parts of the Philippines during mall shows. Siguro some parts of Mindanao. I went to Davao before and Batanes.” Thunder said he wants to go to Boracay.

Dara is now a solo artist after 2NE1 and she’s currently on three Korean TV shows.

“I have three regular TV shows in Korea (including ‘Get It Beauty’). Busy ako dun kasi every week ang taping. I’m trying to make some new music, too,” she said.

For Thunder, “I’m working on my new songs. I’m just composing,” adding that he will star in the Korean-Indonesian movie “Forever: Holiday In Bali” for screening this year.

He will also release a new song soon.

“Our company’s trying for a new song (to release) in October. If it’s a little late, it’s November,” he said.

Overall, The Park siblings are excited and very happy to be on “One Night Food Trip-International Edition.”

“So many fans supported us. Abangan nyo ’yung show namin kasi it’s our first time na makikita nyo na magkasama kami in the Philippines. We tried so many Filipino food. We’ll be showing some beautiful parts of Palawan and Manila,” said Dara.

Credit

Source: Manila Bulletin