String split to array to Select Component

I am using a select component to allow users to see previous selections. The “Selected value” of the select component requires an array.
So to pass an array i am currently using string split function (on comma separated value returned from serverconnect query to a table) to set the value of the “Selected Value” of the select component but it is not taking it as an array.
I also tried by declaring an array and selecting arr.items in “selected value” and it works fine. But now I have a problem how to pass string split values to the array. The split function inserts all values in one index of the array making is same string as before.

I have gone through Data binding not recognizing an array and came to know that “setValue” function returns a string not an array.

Is there any workaround this?