By Jessica Ye (Jessica Yap)
There was a time when Sandara Park’s gravity-defying hairstyle was just as talked about as her music. Years later, the hairstyle may have changed, but her appeal hasn’t.
From 2NE1’s explosive rise to becoming a familiar face at fashion weeks, beauty events and television appearances, Sandara has built a career that has comfortably outlasted trends. Long after many second-generation K-pop acts have slowed down, she continues to draw crowds wherever she goes.
This Friday, Singapore fans will get a chance to see her in person.
Sandara will make a special appearance at Orchard Central on 17 July as part of Far East Malls’ Singapore Playdate celebrations.
If you’ve been following announcements about the event, there’s one important update. The originally announced hi-touch session has been replaced with a hi-bye greeting on stage. The group photo opportunity remains part of the fan experience, while all other event mechanics remain unchanged.
Fans hoping to take part will need to spend a minimum of S$100 in a single receipt at Orchard Central between 11am and 5pm on 17 July. Receipts must then be verified through the shopFarEast app at the Level 1 Atrium between 12.30pm and 5pm, with the first 50 qualifying shoppers receiving access to the fan session. Eligible participants will also stand a chance to receive an autographed photo of Sandara.
While the appearance forms part of a wider National Day campaign featuring nostalgic games and a collaboration with local creative brand Pigeoncrafts, there’s little doubt about what most visitors will be making a beeline for.
It’s Sandara.
Even without a concert or comeback attached, she remains one of K-pop’s most recognisable second-generation stars. She has successfully carved out a career that moves comfortably between music, television and fashion, making every overseas appearance feel like a reunion with fans rather than another stop on a promotional tour.
If you’re planning to head down, remember that the fan interaction has been updated to a hi-bye greeting on stage. It’s a small change, but one worth knowing before you join the queue.
For Blackjacks, though, the chance to see Sandara back in Singapore is likely to be reason enough.
