[OSEN=Reporter Choi Na-young] If abs are a man’s showpiece, a woman’s is her back. The chest, legs and hips can all show a woman’s sex appeal, but a beautifully toned back, like defined abs, takes careful, sustained effort.

Perhaps that is why female singers have recently been competing to show off their backs. Back-view shots have become a staple of the cover art for new albums. A smooth, gracefully curved back can convey confidence and elegance, while accessories or tattoos add a personal touch.

Looking back at the trend, sex symbol Son Dam-bi drew attention in 2008 with daring cover art for ‘Crazy,’ showing off the curve of her back.

Jang Na-ra also moved beyond her youthful image in 2008. On the cover of her first pan-Asian album, she wore a black minidress that revealed her toned back and presented a more mature look.

G.NA, who drew attention for her innocent yet curvaceous image with ‘I’ll Back Off So You Can Live Better,’ caused a stir in July when she released behind-the-scenes footage from her album-cover shoot. Her bold outfit revealed her back. The claim that her figure had not been altered with Photoshop also became a talking point.

In late October, Hwangbo released a new song along with a striking photo that revealed her bare upper back. The image’s melancholy mood complemented ‘I’m Still Beautiful,’ a ballad about a mature woman enduring pain and heartache.

For the next generation of sexy divas, a back-view photo has become essential. On her new album, NS Yoon-G presented a daring view of her back in a Catwoman-like pose, drawing attention as a new sex symbol.

Seo In-young is next. Ahead of her comeback on the 10th with ‘Into the Rhythm,’ the title track of her digital single ‘Ellythm,’ she released three cover photos on her official website at midnight on the 3rd. Two show her transformed into a witch; another reveals the line of her back.

It is the first time since her debut that trendsetter Seo In-young has revealed so much of her upper body. A fashion tattoo reading ‘ELLY’ adds a cute yet sexy touch that is distinctly hers, raising curiosity about the album.