Sandara Park throws a ‘Festival’ for her long-awaited solo debut

Former 2NE1 member Sandara Park has made her long-awaited solo debut with ‘Festival’.

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The clip for ‘Festival’ takes Sandara Park to a fantastical, candy-covered festival, filled with classic rides and gift shops. The video also features a cameo from South Korean singer Uhm Jung-hwa, whose hit 1999 song ‘Festival’ is sampled here.

“Now it’s time to smile, smile again / It’s a happy moment, happy days / Shout it out as much as you want / Good, I’m good / Everyday will be sparkling,” she sings on the upbeat chorus. Notably, the second verse of ‘Festival’ also references the singer’s 2004 Tagalog song ‘In or Out’.

‘Festival’ is the lead single of Park self-titled debut Korean solo mini-album. It is her first music release in over four years, since being featured on former bandmate Park Bom’s ‘Spring’ in 2019. However, the singer had previously released a self-titled EP in the Philippines in 2005, prior to her debut in 2NE1.

Park debuted as one of four members of 2NE1 under YG Entertainment in 2009 with the single ‘Fire’. The quartet went on to become one of the most successful girl groups, spawning hits like ‘I Am The Best’, ‘Ugly’, ‘I Don’t Care’ and more.

Following the girl group’s disbandment in 2016, Park furthered her career as an actress and television host, starring in films like One Step and Cheese in the Trap. She also went on to host reality and talk show programmes like Video Star, Idol League and Get It Beauty.

In 2021, Park left longtime agency YG Entertainment and signed with Abyss Company, which is currently home to artists like Sunmi, GOT7’s BamBam and Melomance.

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