Korean girl groups take center stage this summer

Wonder Girls

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By Rachel Lee

Power K-pop girl groups such as Wonder Girls, 2NE1 and T-ara are returning to local stages this summer.

2NE1 will release their new single "I Love You" on Thursday. The New Evolution world tour will start at the Olympic Gymnastics Gymnasium in southern Seoul on July 28 and 29. The girls will head to 10 cities in seven countries including Japan, the United States and Hong Kong.

The Wonder Girls new EP "Wonder Party" came out last month, and they will be in concert at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in southern Seoul on Saturday. The five-member group, managed by JYP Entertainment, is one of the few K-pop acts that have broken into the U.S. market.

T-ara, a five-member group known for "Bo Peep Bo Peep", also follows suit by holding a first solo concert at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in southern Seoul on Aug. 11.

Girl groups have been at the forefront of the K-pop scene thanks to their musical talent and the diversity and popularity of their music.
"Korean girl groups have consistently worked hard on their albums and performances", popular culture critic Jung Duk-hyun told The Korea Times.

He said girl groups such as the Wonder Girls, known for hits "Tell me" and "Nobody", are the ones who have led the K-pop boom around the world.

"They have built up their own competitive advantage over the boy bands. 2NE1 and Girls Generation, for example, stand out from male performers due to the diversity of the tracks and their exceptional musical talent, which can be seen in their performances".