The Boys was released in 2011 as the lead single from Girls' Generation's third Korean album of the same name, released by SM Entertainment. The group, widely called SNSD from their Korean name So Nyeo Shi Dae, were already major K-pop stars, and the song's English version pushed them toward a global audience. Its sleek, assertive sound marked a shift from their earlier brighter image. Online, short excerpts circulate among K-pop fans for edits, introductions and dance clips.