The K-pop girl group BLACKPINK on July 2 performs at BST (British Summer Time) Hyde Park in London, the first K-pop act to do so. (BLACKPINK's official Facebook page)

By Yoon Seungjin

The British daily Guardian has covered the growing popularity of K-pop girl groups in the U.K.

In a story with the headline "Here come the girls! All-female K-pop groups conquer Britain," the newspaper on Aug. 27 said TWICE, aespa, ITZY and (G)I-DLE will perform in London next month, following BLACKPINK's appearance in the city's concert series BST Hyde Park last month.

"Now doubters will have to concede that the juggernaut of K-pop music is not showing any signs of slowing," the Guardian said, adding that even budding acts like FIFTY FIFTY and NewJeans have landed on the British charts.

The Guardian cited social media as the key to these K-pop groups' success in the U.K.

"K-pop girl groups have benefited from their videos going viral on social media, which has enabled their finely tuned winning formula – catchy tunes, energetic dance routines and, for some, an inspiration in how they act and dress – to reach British shores," it said.

The British music industry is interacting more with K-pop as the latter has grown into a cultural phenomenon beyond just music, it added.

"The music is catchy, the fashion styling is on point, the choreography is brilliant and the stage production is meticulously thought out," London-based songwriter Claire Rodrigues Lee, who has written hits for groups like Girls' Generation and Red Velvet, was quoted as saying.

scf2979@korea.kr