By Anjie Blardony Ureta, Contributor

Concert Review
Penshoppe Presents: Dara
Featuring Sandara Park
Dec. 1, Kia Theater,
Cubao, Quezon City

KOREAN pop star Sandara Park paid tribute to 2NE1 and their loyal Blackjacks in a most unforgettable and loving way at her mini-concert on Dec. 1 at the Kia Theater in Quezon City. Going solo for the first time on a musical stage, Ms. Park performed familiar songs and vibrantly arranged medleys from 2NE1’s greatest hits which brought devoted fans much consolation and, to some degree, a welcome opportunity for closure considering how the iconic girl group was abruptly disbanded by its agency in November last year.

The show, dubbed Penshoppe Presents: Dara, was organized by the Philippine-based global fashion brand upon the request of Ms. Park, who has been its international ambassador since 2015. “She really wanted this event for her fans and she didn’t have to ask twice,” affirmed Penshoppe brand director Jeff Bascon. “Dara is such a pleasure to work with and her fans are incredibly supportive, truly awesome! We’re more than happy to partner with her on this.”

Aside from sponsoring the event and distributing free tickets to local fan groups, the brand also heightened the excitement in the theater by giving 100 lucky people from the audience a chance to have their photos taken with their idol onstage.

HUGOT AND DELIGHT
Clad in the glammed-up street wear that is reminiscent of the distinct, game-changing fashion style of 2NE1, Ms. Park emerged onstage looking radiant and triumphant. The familiar strains of the group’s mammoth debut hit, “Fire,” filled the air and the audience broke into frenzied screams, with banners raised and lightsticks waved proudly in the air. After the opening number, she segued to her “hugot spiel” in which she profusely thanked the Blackjacks (as 2NE1’s fans are called) who have remained steadfast and dedicated beyond the quartet’s seven-year stint as one of the most radical, award-winning, and influential girl groups in K-pop history. While she admitted to feeling nostalgic and a bit lonely performing without her band mates for the first time, she mentioned that the girls had expressed their support by calling and messaging her right before the show.

“Kinakabahan ako,” she remarked in Filipino, “pero kakayanin ko (I’m nervous but I will do my best)!” True enough, the anxiety immediately transformed into adrenaline and soon, the stage exploded with joy that lit up the entire theater. And while she would humbly acknowledged that she was not the best singer or dancer in the group, the energy and passion that she had invested into the project — from her earnest preparation to her all-out performance — definitely paid off. It was clear that her sole mission that night was to delight the fans, and in this she succeeded exceptionally well.

NOSTALGIC PLAYLIST
The evening’s repertoire included some of 2NE1’s chart-busting songs, but skillfully arranged in a manner which the performer herself described as “Dara-style.” With the help of musician-friends like Choice 37 and Sunwoo Jung-A (both successful singers, songwriters, and producers in Korea), Ms. Park was able to create a pulsating playlist that spanned an interesting variety of styles, from pop to dance to acoustic. An obvious crowd favorite was an acoustic medley that included “Fire,” “I Am the Best,” “Can’t Nobody,” and “I Love You” which ended with a sultry chair dance.

She also added a dash of OPM to the show with a balloons-and-hearts rendition of the local hit, “Kapag Tumibok ang Puso.” When the fans began clamoring for her popular Filipino single, “In or Out,” recorded when she first joined the local entertainment industry in 2004, Ms. Park jokingly replied: “Sorry, wala sa set list. Matured na ako no, hindi na ako kung-krung (Sorry it’s not in the set list. I’m matured now, I’m no longer zany)!” She added that she had considered putting in a song by her favorite singer, Regine Velasquez, but was unable to do so because “hindi ko kayang bumirit (I can’t hit the high notes)!” which sent the crowd laughing.

The hour-long program seemed to have ended almost abruptly when Ms. Park announced her last song, “Go Away,” which was a staple in most 2NE1 concerts. With her characteristic humor, she hinted to the fans that she still had one number up her sleeve if they should ask her for an encore — and it was, of course, the much awaited monster hit, “I Am the Best,” which sent the crowd to its feet, dancing, cheering, and singing along until the very last note and the stage was empty… except for the lingering joy and exhilaration that hung thickly in the air, as well as in the hearts of the fans.

Hosted by radio and TV presenter Justin Quirino, Penshoppe Presents: Dara also featured opening performances by acoustic musician Keiko Necesario and Club Penshoppe members Emilio Perez and Ronnie Alonte.

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