Sandara Park Criticized for Admitting She Dated a 14-Year-Old at 19
SANDARA PARK – The South Korean star faced backlash after casually admitting that she dated a minor.
Sandara Park, popularly known as Dara, is a South Korean singer, actress, and television personality who first gained fame in the Philippines before becoming a K-pop icon. She rose to prominence in 2004 as the runner-up of Star Circle Quest, a Philippine talent show. Her quirky personality and charm earned her the nickname Pambansang Krung-Krung, making her a household name. She starred in films like Bcuz of U and Can This Be Love while also releasing the hit song In or Out.
In 2007, she returned to South Korea and joined YG Entertainment, eventually debuting in 2009 as a member of the legendary K-pop girl group 2NE1 alongside CL, Park Bom, and Minzy. The group became known for chart-topping hits like Fire, I Don’t Care, and I Am the Best, solidifying their place in K-pop history. After 2NE1’s disbandment in 2016, Dara focused on her solo career, making television appearances and releasing her first mini-album, Sandara Park, in 2023, featuring the song Festival.
Recently, the South Korean star has been making waves online after a resurfaced video from her YouTube channel sparked controversy. In the clip, she reminisces with former 2NE1 member Minzy about her past. Dara revealed that before her debut, a 14-year-old boy asked for her number, and because she found him cute, she gave it to him.
She admitted that at the time, she was 19 but lied about her age, claiming to be 16 so they could date. She recalled their time together and mentioned that their communication only ended when she debuted and had to state her real age publicly.
When the video was reposted on Reddit, many netizens were surprised that the incident hadn’t been widely discussed before. While some viewed it as a past mistake, others criticized Dara for sharing the story without remorse. The resurfaced clip reignited debates about the ethical concerns of an older individual deceiving a younger one in a romantic context.
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