K-POP STARS SEARCH FOR NEXT GLOBAL IDOL GROUP IN TV5, MLD'S 'BE THE NEXT: 9 DREAMERS'

K-POP ICON 2NE1'S Sandara Park, AB6IX's Park Woojin, Bang Ye-dam, HORIZON's Vinci, Hyebin (formerly of MOMOLAND), EXO's CHEN, choreographer Bae Wan Hee and producer Bullseye will headline TV5 and MLD Entertainment PH's "Be the NEXT: 9 Dreamers."

- CHARMIE JOY PAGULONG

Dara will serve as the host, while the rest will be the mentors of the K-pop survival show, which will start airing on Feb. 8 - Saturdays at 7:15 p.m. and Sundays at 8:15 p.m., with weekday catch-ups at 11:30 p.m.

Seventy-five aspirants from across the globe will vie for a coveted spot in a new nine-member boy group.

At a recent press conference at Novotel Manila Araneta City, Dara shared that she is "excited and nervous" because it will be her first time hosting a show.

"It's a new challenge for me," she stated. "I've done acting, being on stage and being in a musical show, but being a main host - it's my first time. So, I'm really excited," she said, also quipping, "I don't know what I'm gonna do because alam niyo naman krung krung ako so..."

Dara will be traveling back and forth to Manila for the show. Amid her tight schedule, which includes 2NE1's ongoing "Welcome Back Tour" and her other commitments, she emphasized the importance of staying healthy.

"It's important to stay healthy so I can do all my schedules in my best condition. I'm really busy. So, no friends muna, no alcohol, no rest, no vacation - just focus. I'm really focusing on my work and I work out when I have time. And of course, I get massages. Mamaya magpapa-massage ako."