Let Me In (Exo song)

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]

"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]

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