It was first released to digital outlets by SM Entertainment on August 2, 2007, while a CD single was made available several days later.

"Into the New World" peaked at number five on the monthly South Korean album chart in August 2007, and eventually sold over 44,000 copies.

Although it only saw moderate success upon its initial release, the song has since been recognized by music critics as a symbolic piece embodying unity and an anthem associated with protest culture in South Korea.

[8] The music video was filmed from July 21 to 23, 2007, at Paju Book City, Provence Village, Yeoju Promotion Flight School, and Yangjae-dong.

[9][10] Yoona is designing clothes for a boutique, Taeyeon is flying a light aircraft with Sooyoung accompanying her.

Hyoyeon is purchasing a pair of white training shoes at a department store, after which she dances on a stairway.

Tiffany is repairing a scooter (specifically, a Yamaha Fino 115) and repaints its body with pink color with flower motif and customizes its license plate.

[16] At the 2016 Gaon Chart Music Awards, GFriend, I.O.I, Twice and Red Velvet covered the song.

[19] After member Jessica left Girls' Generation, the song was also changed into a ballad version for live concert performances.

[20] Hyoyeon also admitted on Secret Unnies that the choreography was prepared as far back as a year before Girls' Generation official debut.

[22] In a panel of 35 music critics and professionals organized by newspaper Seoul Shinmun and online portal Melon, "Into the New World" was ranked the 6th best K-pop song of all time; music critic Squib said that it has continuously attracted the attention of the public and has become a "symbol of the times".

[1] Naming it one of the best K-pop debut songs of all time, Insider wrote "in the 15 years since its release, has become a standard for Korean girl groups".

"[26]Fellow member Yuri also expressed similar sentiments: "I saw the video several times, and I even cried because my heart was overcome with emotion.

[29] In 2024, when a protest was held for the impeachment of South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol after the president's failed bid to enact martial law, protestors at the Seoul National University sang the song Into The New World while calling for Yoon to step down.