EXO's "Growl" Endures as a K-Pop Classic, Inspiring Athletes and Challenging Dancers

EXO's "Growl" continues to generate significant buzz in Korea, showcasing its enduring impact on pop culture and its dedicated fanbase. This lasting influence is highlighted by a national athlete fulfilling a long-standing promise tied to the song and its choreography, which still challenges even experienced dancers on popular variety shows.

Released on August 5, 2013, as part of EXO's first full album repackage, "Growl" became a defining track for the then 12-member group. It garnered widespread attention for its innovative one-take group choreography, often performed in a minimalist setting like an empty warehouse. The song's title, "Growl," symbolizes a protective, animalistic jealousy over a loved one, aligning with the group's "wolf" concept, and is officially categorized as a sophisticated Urban R&B dance track.

Local bloggers consistently emphasize the song's lasting power, noting how it solidified EXO's name even among those who weren't initially fans. The complexity of its choreography is a frequent topic, as demonstrated when a confident dancer struggled to replicate it on a TV show, underscoring its unique difficulty. The deep connection "Growl" fostered is further exemplified by the long-term fan who achieved an Asian Games gold medal, partly inspired by a promise made to EXO's Kai.