Girls Generation (Photo courtesy of SM Entertainment)

MANILA, Philippines – Nine-member K-pop group Girls Generation are preparing for their much-awaited comeback with the worldwide release of their new album “The Boys” and the release of their single in the US.

On Oct. 19, “The Boys” album will be released in Korea and online music stores worldwide including iTunes. SM Entertainment also announced that the music video for the title track “The Boys” would be released on SMTown’s YouTube channel and Facebook page on the same day.

More importantly, Girls Generation will release “The Boys” maxi single in the US through Interscope Records in November. The girl group signed up with Universal Music Group for their US debut and Interscope is one of Universal’s music labels.

With the deal, Girls Generation becomes part of Interscope’s roster of internationally known artists including The Black Eyed Peas, Eminem, Far East Movement, Lady Gaga, Scotty McCreery, and Gwen Stefani.

“Moreover, this album will not only be circulated throughout the U.S. but Europe, South America, and other parts of the world [as well], so the album is expected to receive an enthusiastic response from global fans,” according to SM Town’s Facebook page.

Girls Generation’s single release in the US will heighten their rivalry with the Wonder Girls.

Wonder Girls made their US debut in 2009 with the English version of “Nobody,” which entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 76 in October of the same year.

Can Girls Generation pull the same feat? Producer Teddy Riley thinks so. Riley wrote, composed and arranged the title track.

Riley recently got the ire of K-pop fans when he belittled the Wonder Girls on Twitter, saying that Girls Generation will be better than the Wonder Girls in the US. He later apologized to the Wonder Girls.

At midnight tonight, Girls Generation will release the teaser videos of the English and Korean versions of “The Boys” on YouTube, Facebook and official SM Town website.

Girls Generation will start promoting “The Boys” on KBS “Music Bank” on Oct. 21.