For many Koreans, "Now" (이제는) is inseparable from Seoul Family (서울패밀리).
Released in 1987, it became one of the group's signature songs and remains one of the defining pop hits of the late 1980s.
What many listeners don't realize, however, is that the melody did not originate in Korea.
The song first appeared three years earlier as the American pop duet "When the Rain Begins to Fall" by Jermaine Jackson and Pia Zadora. Decades later, it found yet another audience when PSY, joined by Hwasa, reintroduced the song to modern K-pop listeners.
The journey of "Now" spans four decades, three generations, and two continents—demonstrating how one unforgettable melody can find new meaning in every era.
Post Highlights
Seoul Family's Signature Hit
One of the defining Korean pop songs of the late 1980s, highlighting Wi Il-cheong's iconic vocals.
The Forgotten Original
The melody first appeared in 1984 as "When the Rain Begins to Fall" by Jermaine Jackson and Pia Zadora.
Rediscovered by PSY
A new generation embraced the song through PSY and Hwasa's dynamic 2022 reinterpretation.
Key Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Song Title | "Now" (이제는) |
| Korean Classic Artist | Seoul Family (서울패밀리) (1987) |
| Original Song | "When the Rain Begins to Fall" by Jermaine Jackson & Pia Zadora (1984) |
| Modern Remake | "NOW" (이제는) by PSY feat. Hwasa (2022) |
| Genres | Pop · Synth-pop · Dance-pop |
Chapter 1: Seoul Family Made It a Korean Classic
When Seoul Family released "Now" (이제는) in 1987, few listeners were concerned with where the melody had come from.
Released on Seoul Family's second album, "Now" quickly became one of the group's defining songs and remains closely associated with vocalist Wi Il-cheong's powerful performance.
The Korean version stood on its own, combining powerful vocal performances with emotionally resonant Korean lyrics that transformed the song into something uniquely familiar. Over time, "Now" became one of Seoul Family's best-known songs and a staple of Korean nostalgia radio and television. For many Koreans, this version is the definitive version.
Chapter 2: Before Seoul Family: An International Pop Hit
Three years earlier, in 1984, Jermaine Jackson and Pia Zadora released "When the Rain Begins to Fall."
Recorded for the film Voyage of the Rock Aliens, the song became an international success, particularly in Europe, thanks to its dramatic duet format and memorable synth-pop chorus. Although the film faded into obscurity, the song continued to travel—eventually finding a new life in South Korea through Seoul Family's adaptation.
Rather than producing a literal translation, the Korean version introduced entirely new lyrics that reflected Korean emotional sensibilities while preserving the song's soaring melody.
Chapter 3: PSY Introduced the Song to a New Generation
In 2022, PSY revisited "Now" with Hwasa on his album PSY 9th.
Rather than revisiting the original English version, PSY chose to reinterpret Seoul Family's beloved Korean adaptation. He preserved its familiar Korean lyrics while updating the arrangement with contemporary production and a more dynamic performance style.
PSY himself noted that the song traces back to the 1984 original before Seoul Family remade it in 1987, and stated that Hwasa was the only vocalist he envisioned for the project.
The Three Lives of "Now"
Few Korean songs illustrate the life cycle of a melody as clearly as "Now." Here is how the song evolved across three distinct eras:
| Version | Artist | Year | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | Jermaine Jackson & Pia Zadora | 1984 | Synth-pop duet |
| Korean Classic | Seoul Family (서울패밀리) | 1987 | Korean pop / dance |
| Modern Remake | PSY feat. Hwasa | 2022 | Contemporary K-pop |
Recommended Performances
Why This Song Matters
Few songs enjoy three distinct cultural lives.
The first was as an American pop duet. The second transformed it into a beloved Korean classic through Seoul Family. The third introduced it to younger audiences through PSY and Hwasa.
Each version reflects the musical language of its own era while preserving the same unforgettable melody.
Curator's Note
Some remakes replace the original. Others coexist with it.
"Now" belongs to the second category.
Most Korean listeners first fell in love with Seoul Family's version. Later, many discovered that it had an international origin. A younger generation then encountered it again through PSY and Hwasa.
Great songs are rarely confined to a single artist. "Now" reminds us that music does not simply survive—it evolves.
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