Civil servant waits 6 hours to see Sandara Park of K-pop girl group 2NE1

Civil servant Muhammad Farhan took leave from work to wait for his idol, Sandara Park of K-pop girl group 2NE1, for two hours at the airport on Friday morning only to realise she had used the VIP exit.

Better known as Dara, the 31-year-old singer was in town to promote moonshot, a make-up brand owned by YG Plus, a subsidiary of her management agency YG Entertainment.

Mr Farhan, 24, told The New Paper on Sunday: "I knew the flight details as my friend was on the plane with her from Malaysia.

"I was disappointed (that I missed her at the airport), but at least I saw her in the evening."

Dara made a brief appearance at moonshot's media event held at Ion Orchard later.

Launched in 2014, the brand is also fronted by K-pop singer-rapper G-Dragon from boy band Big Bang.

Addressing over 400 fans, Dara gave make-up tips and distributed signed bags of moonshot samples to 200 selected Sephora black card members.

Mr Farhan travelled to Ion from the airport and waited four hours to see her. He has been a fan of 2NE1 since its debut in 2009.

He said: "I like Dara's down-to-earth personality. Though 2NE1 has become so popular, she remains humble. I am currently watching her latest variety singing programme, Sugar Man."

2NE1 made headlines earlier this month when youngest member Gong Minzy said she was leaving.

Calling himself a blackjack, the official moniker of 2NE1 fans, Mr Farhan said he was not surprised by Minzy's departure from the quartet.

He said: "The other members were either going solo or on hiatus, and it seemed like Minzy was neglected.

"I was sad but am happy that Minzy may have more opportunities to pursue her other talent, like dancing."

Student Jamie Tan, 19, spent over $200 on YG Entertainment's concert here in 2014. She also visited the YG building in Seoul on holiday last April, hoping to see 2NE1.

Miss Tan, who has watched Dara four times in concert, says seeing her "still feels surreal" and "she is definitely prettier in person".

Speaking in English, Dara seemed bubbly and said she missed the fans here since visiting Singapore February last year for a photo shoot.

Referring to one of moonshot's newest make-up cushions, she joked: "If you use the Dara cushion, you will look like me."

The loudest cheers came when she said: "I am here alone today but hope to return with the girls in the future."

krystalc@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on April 24, 2016.
Get The New Paper for more stories.