Wolf was released in 2013 as the lead single from XOXO, the first studio album by South Korean boy group EXO under SM Entertainment. The song divided listeners at first for its unusual dubstep and hip hop mix, but its howling hook and powerful choreography made it a defining early EXO era. Clips of the chant later circulated on soundboards and fan video platforms, where EXO-L and other K-pop fans kept reusing the moment for entrances, transformations and nostalgic edits.