South Korea‘s three hit girl groups Girls’ Generation, Girl‘s Day and Sistar all opted for bikinis in their new album teasers.

On Friday, teaser images of Girls’ Generation decked out in swimsuits were revealed for their new album to be released Tuesday. It’s the first time seeing them in such revealing outfits, though they appear more casual and lovely, as opposed to the sexier looks of the two other girl groups.

“This is the first time for them to unveil summer songs in time for summer. As the video was filmed against the background of a Ko Samui beach in Thailand, swimsuits were the best outfits,” said an official from the agency.

Girls‘ Day, also set to release their new album Tuesday, similarly unveiled their teaser music video Thursday. In the 15-second video they look sexy and alluring in swimsuits, casting off their conventional lovely image. However, when controversy broke out over the swimsuits, which some said were too suggestive to wear onstage, the singers‘ label assuaged fears, saying “they won’t wear swimsuits onstage.”

Sistar, known widely for their sexy image, was the first to unveil a bikini-clad teaser image last month for their fifth mini album “Shake It.”

Industry watchers say more girl groups are opting for aggressive visual marketing amid growing competition in Korea’s entertainment scene.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)