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Let Me In (Exo song)

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"Let Me In"
Digital cover art for Let Me In
Single by Exo
from the album Exist
LanguageKorean
ReleasedJune 12, 2023 (2023-06-12)
Recorded2023
StudioSound Pool (Seoul)
GenreK-ballad[1]
Length3:18
Label
Composer(s)
  • Je'Juan Antonio
  • Hassan Ashi Jr.
  • Jayden Henry
  • Jordain Johnson
  • Kelsey Merges
  • Noah Barer
  • Kaelin Ellis
  • Hautboi Rich
Lyricist(s)Enzo
Producer(s)
  • Noah Barer
  • Kaelin Ellis
Exo singles chronology
"Bird" (The Best version)
(2023)
"Let Me In"
(2023)
"Hear Me Out"
(2023)
Music video
"Let Me In" on YouTube

"Let Me In" is a song by South Korean–Chinese boy band Exo, released on June 12, 2023, by SM Entertainment as the first single from their seventh studio album, Exist. The single became Exo's first Korean single release in two years since "Don't Fight the Feeling".

Background

[edit]

After 2021's release of Don't Fight the Feeling, Exo entered hiatus due to most of its members were undergoing their mandatory military service namely — Suho, Chen, Chanyeol, and Baekhyun.

In 2022, most of the members were participating in personal activities. After his discharge from military service, Suho released his second extended play, Grey Suit, followed by Xiumin who became Exo's seventh member to debut as a soloist through the release of Brand New in September. Chen also released an EP, Last Scene that November.

In January 2023, Exo's leader Suho wished the fans a happy new year and confirmed the group would have a comeback at some point in 2023, with the date yet to be announced.[2] A month later, Baekhyun was discharged from his mandatory military service on February 5, completing Exo's lineup once again.[3]

On February 28, Exo released a poster for their fan meet on April 8, and 9 titled "EXO' Clock" to celebrate their 11th anniversary in the KSPO Dome.[4] During the event, they announced that three music videos were in production, and also performed a new song, which would eventually be revealed as "Let Me In".[5]

On June 12, the song was released as a pre-release single at 6 PM KST ahead of their full-length album in July.[6] The single featured the vocals of eight members (except Lay), including Kai who enlisted as a public service worker a month earlier.[7]

Composition

[edit]

"Let Me In" was composed by Je'Juan Antonio, Hassan Ashi Jr, Jayden Henry, Jordain Johnson, Kelsey Merges, Noah Barer, Kaelin Ellis, and Hautboi Rich, and it was arranged by Barer and Ellis.[8] The song is classified as a ballad song with a melodic dream sound, which features an emotional vocal performance by the members.[1] The lyrics were written by Enzo, comparing a lover to the blue sea, and describing the desperate feeling of wanting to be together even though it means falling deeper and deeper.[6]

Music video

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On June 12, the music video was released along with the song. In the music video, the group appear in a series of picturesque backgrounds. They attempt to reunite with one another before a meteor strikes the Earth. In the end, after being reunited, time seemingly rewinds itself.[9]

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[10]

Studio

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Personnel

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  • SM Entertainmentexecutive producer
  • Jang Cheol-hyuk – executive supervisor
  • Exo – vocals
    • Suho – background vocals
    • Baekhyun – background vocals
    • Chen – background vocals
    • D.O. – background vocals
  • Noah Barer – producer, composition, arrangement
  • Kaelin Ellis – producer, composition, arrangement
  • Enzo – lyrics
  • Je'Juan Antonio – composition
  • Hassan Ashi Jr. – composition
  • Jayden Henry – composition
  • Jordain Johnson – composition
  • Kelsey Merges – composition
  • Hautboi Rich – composition
  • Emily Kim Yeon-seo – vocal directing
  • Esbee – background vocals
  • Woo Min-jeong – recording, digital editing
  • Noh Min-ji – engineered for mix
  • Nam Koong-jin – mixing
  • Kwon Nam-woo – mastering

Charts

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Chart performance for "Let Me In"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)[11] 106
US World Digital Songs (Billboard)[12] 5

Release history

[edit]
Release history for "Let Me In"
Region Date Format Label
Various June 12, 2023

References

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  1. ^ a b Lee, Jae-hoon (June 12, 2023). "엑소, 첸백시·SM 분쟁 속 정규 7집 컴백 초읽기…오늘 선공개곡 발매" [EXO, Chenbaxi· Countdown to the comeback of the 7th album amid the SM dispute... Pre-release song released today]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024 – via Naver.
  2. ^ Rantung, Revi C; Kistyarini (January 2, 2023). "Suho: Selamat Tahun Baru, EXO Akan Comeback pada 2023" [Suho: Happy New Year, EXO will Comeback in 2023]. Kompas (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  3. ^ Geli, Bianca (February 10, 2023). "EXO's Baekhyun has message for fans after being discharged from military". GMA Integrated News. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  4. ^ Tionardus, Melvina; Kistyarini (March 1, 2023). "EXO Gelar Fan Meeting untuk Rayakan HUT Ke-11, Tampil Full Team" [Exo to Hold a Fan Meeting to Celebrate 11th Debut Anniversary, as a Full team]. Kompas (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Pangerang, Andi Muttya Keteng (April 9, 2023). "EXO Bawakan Lagu Baru di Fan Meeting dan Umumkan Syuting Tiga Video Musik" [EXO Performed New Song in the Fan Meeting, and Announced the Filming of Three Music Videos]. Kompas (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Jelang Peluncuran Album, EXO Rilis Single Let Me In Hari Ini" [Ahead of Album Release, EXO Releases Single "Let Me In" Today]. CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). Jakarta. June 12, 2023. Archived from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  7. ^ "'Come back safely': EXO sends off Kai as he enters military". ABS-CBN. May 11, 2023. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  8. ^ ""Let Me In" Song Info". Melon (in Korean). June 12, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  9. ^ Yeo, Gladys (June 12, 2023). "EXO unveil pensive music video for new song 'Let Me In'". NME. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Exo (2023). Exist (photobook). South Korea: SM Entertainment, Kakao Entertainment. Credits.
  11. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 24 of 2023". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  12. ^ "Exo Chart History: World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.