Callin'

In 2021, Super Junior released their 10th Korean studio album, The Renaissance, on March 16, 2021, fronted by singles "The Melody" and "House Party".^[1] On February 14, 2022, Label SJ announced that the group will release a single album as "welcome gift" for fans at home and abroad by capturing Super Junior's unique musical world.^[2] The release date for The Road: Winter for Spring was confirmed two days later, scheduled to be released on February 28.^[3] "Callin'" was announced as the lead single of the single album alongside the teaser music video few days later.^[4]

On the 22nd, more details of "Callin'" were announced: the song lies within pop rock genre, and written by long-time contributor, Kenzie, who was also the producer of the song.^[5] For the next two days, the label continues to release teaser images and teaser for the music video.^[6] An interview video was uploaded on the 25th, where the members introduced the track and commenting on its production.^[7] The single was released with its music video, in tandem with the single album on the 28th.^[8]

"Callin'" is described as a pop rock song that was written, composed, arranged, and produced by long-time contributor Kenzie.^[9] She previously wrote the group's previous hits such as "No Other", "Opera", and "Devil". Rolling Stone India labeled the song as an alternative rock ballad.^[10]

The song was composed in the key of C Major with the tempo of 160 BPM.^[11] Built on delicate and "beautiful" melody, the lyrics narrate the characters do not want to miss a single day of love.^[12]

Member Siwon introduced the track as "an absolutely wonderful song", while Ryeowook recounted how the members instantly loved the song when they heard the demo.^[13] Leader Leeteuk mentioned how the song warms his heart, with Heechul adding that the fans can listen to the song during winter or spring.^[14]

Kenzie instructed Leeteuk to sing with more gravelly voice and remove the emotions, which he ended up recording in an indie band manner.^[15]

Two music videos were released for the song. The "Winter for Spring" version featured an animation, while the "Winter" did not. The video shows a man who locks himself in a room of his heart with a woman waiting for him outside of the room, as the season changes.^[16]

During a radio interview with Kim Shin-young on MBC FM4U, Shindong initially thought the storyboard was awkward with the animations and its back and forth, before liking how it eventually turned out.^[15]

Super Junior debuted "Callin'" live on stage for the first time during their March 3 appearance on M Countdown.^[17] It was performed on Show! Music Core and Inkigayo afterwards.^[18][19]

The song was later featured in the setlist of their Super Show 9: Road world concert tour.^[20]

Credits adapted from the single album's liner notes.^[22]

Studio

• SM SSAM Studio – recording, digital editing
• SM Yellow Tail Studio – recording
• SM Starlight Studio – engineered for mix
• Doobdoob Studio – digital editing
• SM Blue Ocean Studio – mixing
• 821 Sound – mastering

Personnel