K-pop sensation ONEUS is making waves in the music industry once again with their latest release, "Now (Original by Fin.K.L)." This digital single is a tribute to the legendary first-generation K-pop girl group Fin.K.L, known for their profound impact on the genre during the late 1990s and early 2000s. ONEUS’s rendition of "Now" blends nostalgia with their unique modern flair, offering fans a refreshing take on a classic hit.
"Now" was originally released by Fin.K.L in 2000 and quickly became a defining anthem of its time. The song's powerful lyrics and catchy melody resonated with fans, cementing Fin.K.L’s status as one of the most influential groups in K-pop history. By choosing to cover this iconic track, ONEUS pays homage to their predecessors while showcasing their own artistic growth and versatility.
Since their debut in 2019 under RBW Entertainment, ONEUS has steadily climbed the ranks of the K-pop world. Comprising members Seoho, Leedo, Keonhee, Hwanwoong, and Xion, the group has built a reputation for their dynamic performances, impressive vocal abilities, and innovative music videos. Their discography is a testament to their versatility, spanning various genres from pop and rock to R&B and electronic dance music.
Reinterpreting a song as beloved as "Now" is no small feat. ONEUS approached the project with a deep respect for the original, while infusing it with their own style. The production retains the essence of Fin.K.L’s version but incorporates modern elements that reflect the evolution of K-pop over the past two decades. This blend of old and new creates a bridge between generations of fans, making the song accessible and enjoyable for all. The release of "Now (Original by Fin.K.L)" has been met with widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike. Longtime K-pop enthusiasts appreciate the nod to Fin.K.L, while newer fans are introduced to a classic track through the lens of ONEUS’s contemporary artistry. The single’s success is a testament to ONEUS’s ability to honor the past while paving the way for the future of K-pop.
ONEUS is known for their thematic albums and visually stunning music videos, which often draw inspiration from mythology, literature, and art. This attention to detail and storytelling sets them apart in a crowded industry. Their commitment to delivering high-quality content extends beyond their music to their live performances, which are characterized by intricate choreography and theatrical elements. With "Now (Original by Fin.K.L)," ONEUS not only celebrates the rich history of K-pop but also reaffirms their place in its future. As they continue to evolve and experiment with their sound, fans can expect more innovative and captivating releases from this talented group. Their dedication to their craft and their fans ensures that ONEUS will remain a prominent force in the K-pop scene for years to come.
Panorama.it spoke with them.
Nice to meet you again boys. How have you been?
SEO HO: Hello! I'm ONEUS SEO HO. We've been working hard while preparing for our album!
LEE DO: Hello. I'm ONEUS LEE DO! We've been actively preparing for our comeback and tour. We're returning with a new digital single this time, so please look forward to it.
KEON HEE: Hello! This is ONEUS KEON HEE, returning with 'Now (Original by Fin.K.L)'! It's great to see you all again!
HWAN WOONG: Hello! I'm ONEUS HWAN WOONG! We've been busy with various activities and diligently preparing for our album, enjoying our time together as members!
XION: Hello! It's been a while. I'm ONEUS XION! We've been happily preparing to showcase a new album and fantastic stages.
Can you tell us about the concept behind your new digital single, "Now (Original by Fin.K.L)"?
XION: This concept depicts five detectives, each with their unique character, solving a major case they've been commissioned for. We slightly paid homage to the original music video, but reinterpreted it with detectives infiltrating the scene!
What inspired you to choose a song by the 1st generation legendary girl group Fin.K.L for your first remake?
HWAN WOONG: We deliberated a lot on selecting a remake song. We thought it would be interesting for a boy group to reinterpret girl group songs on stage. Among them, "Now" stood out as an energetic and cool song that we felt comfortable expressing as a boy group, so we chose it.
How did you feel about reinterpreting a classic song like "Now" by Fin.K.L?
KEON HEE: Firstly, I'm delighted to have encountered such a great song. Initially, I felt a bit pressured because Fin.K.L's original song energy and performance are legendary. However, given its addictive melody and powerful energy, our focus was on bringing out the best emotions when our voices intertwine. We prepared with this in mind, and we're excited to present the amazing performance we've crafted to complement it!
What unique elements did ONEUS bring to the song "Now" that differentiate it from the original by Fin.K.L?
HWAN WOONG: While preserving the essence of the original, we infused it with ONEUS's unique emotion and charm, making it enjoyable for both those familiar with the original and newcomers. We increased the BPM and added a dance break section, making it more exciting to enjoy together. The performance is also more powerful with surprising highlights, so please look forward to it.
Can you describe the process of arranging and recording "Now" to infuse it with ONEUS's unique sensibility and charm?
SEO HO: During the recording process, we tried singing differently from our usual style to capture the original feel of the song, which was quite challenging.
LEE DO: Since the song has many semitones, there were many difficult parts during the recording. However, thinking of it as a new challenge made it enjoyable.
Can you share some details about the music video for "Now" and the mysterious case you investigate in it?
XION: In the music video, ONEUS transforms into detectives, wittily solving a secretive request from someone. Each member has a distinct character, so knowing this while watching will make it even more enjoyable!
How did the idea of playing detectives in the music video come about?
KEON HEE: In the original music video, Fin.K.L become spies and infiltrate another house. We got the idea from there and thought it would be interesting to approach it as a detective investigation. So, we wittily portrayed the detective characters in our individual profile clips and concept films.
Can you tell us about any memorable moments during the filming of the "Now" music video?
LEE DO: Although it didn't actually work out, filming the scene where I opened a door with a tool instead of a key for the first time was refreshing and fun. Also, shooting in a real office where actual staff members were working, not a set, with HWAN WOONG was fascinating.
KEON HEE: We slightly borrowed the story from the original and adapted it into a detective agency tale unique to ONEUS! There were many moments requiring acting during the filming process, but what stands out is laughing and filming with the members.
XION: There's a scene where I wore a lip cuff as an accessory and blew bubble gum. Each time I blew the bubble gum, the lip cuff kept falling off, so I remember filming it multiple times, trying various methods until we succeeded!
How does it feel to release new music after an 8-month break since "La Dolce Vita"?
SEO HO: Since it's our debut remake song, I'm both excited and nervous about the response we'll receive. It makes me think we need to do even better!
HWAN WOONG: Firstly, it's been a while since our last comeback compared to our usual activity cycle, so I'm very excited. We've thoroughly prepared in every aspect, so we have high expectations.
How has your music and style evolved since your debut?
SEO HO: Since debut, we've been focused on improving and evolving into more confident artists by identifying and addressing areas for improvement through practice and various performances.
What message do you hope to convey through your music and performances?
KEON HEE: It's enjoyable for us to express the feelings unique to each song as ONEUS and showcase our individual charms within them. While we used to aim to provide comfort and touch people's hearts, nowadays, it's also precious to bring joy through the distinctive features of each song as performers. We aim to spread positive energy through our music and performances!
HWAN WOONG: We believe that through music and performances, we can all come together as one. Also, we want to express our gratitude to our fans, as without them, it would be difficult for us to showcase good songs and stages every time.
Can you share a funny or interesting behind-the-scenes story from your recent projects?
XION: While preparing for this album, I'm truly grateful that we were able to contact and receive detailed feedback from the original artist, Fin.K.L's Ok Joohyun, even late at night. It made me realize that I need to work even harder in the future, and I felt incredibly happy and grateful for the opportunity!
What has been your favorite song to perform live and why?
SEO HO: I love them all, but "Halley’s Comet" holds a special place for me. Since we have fewer vocal songs in our performances compared to dance tracks, it feels more special.
LEE DO: I particularly enjoy "Halley’s Comet" because of its beautiful lyrics and the moment of connection with fans when we start singing it.
KEON HEE: These days, it's "Now (Original by Fin.K.L)"! I've developed a lot of affection for it while preparing for our comeback, and I can't wait to perform it on stage.
HWAN WOONG: I absolutely love "LIT" and it's my favorite to perform live. Korean-style songs are universally enjoyed, and the energy and interaction with the audience during this upbeat track are incredibly appealing to me. Plus, having an improvised section in the intro adds to my joy!
XION: My top pick is also "LIT"! We have a few Korean-style performances, and especially during tours, seeing international fans sing along and even embracing Korean culture by wearing hanbok or waving traditional Korean fans fills me with pride and joy. It's not just about spreading K-pop but also sharing and enjoying Korean culture together.
How do you stay motivated and inspired to create new music?
SEO HO: I maintain motivation and inspiration by listening to different music or reading books.
LEE DO: I tend to jot down notes whenever ideas for potential music come to mind in my daily life, trying to remember those moments as much as possible.
KEON HEE: I think experiencing a lot is important. By feeling and experiencing a lot, I believe we can touch more people. Nowadays, there are many things we can learn through dramas, movies, and other visual media even if we can't experience them directly, so I try to explore a lot.
HWAN WOONG: Especially these days, I make an effort to listen to various types of music. I find attractive artists and genres to listen to, and study them. Since last year, I've been learning a lot by watching performances of various artists, which also serves as motivation.
XION: Our desire among the members to create better albums and better stages is always the same, so we have very long discussions with the company. We're constantly striving to create music that showcases a new image and the color of ONEUS.
Who are some of your musical influences and how have they impacted your work?
KEON HEE: When I was young, I listened to IU's music and gained a lot of comfort. As a result, I wanted to become someone who could comfort and empathize with others through music!
XION: I believe our fans are my biggest influence. While creating music and performing on stage can be exhausting with numerous schedules, the unwavering support we receive from our fans worldwide when our meticulously prepared music as ONEUS is released makes me feel compelled to work even harder for them.
If you could describe yourselves in one word, which would it be?
SEO HO: Schrödinger's cat. Because I'm living an unpredictable future, I strive harder to fill the present.
LEE DO: I'd like to describe myself as water. I want to live as it flows and make efforts to do so.
KEON HEE: I'd like to describe myself as a cloud. Just like how seeing pretty clouds floating in the sky brings joy, I want to become someone who gives warmth and comforting solace. Like clouds that come in various shapes and sometimes turn into dark clouds, I want to show my diverse sides without hiding anything.
HWAN WOONG: I'd like to express myself as perseverance because I believe that if I continue steadfastly like I have until now, I will eventually reach my desired goals.
XION: I'd like to describe myself as a supplement! Just like how taking supplements when feeling tired and weary can improve one's health, I want to become a presence like that for everyone. Even when feeling exhausted and tired, I hope seeing or thinking of me gives them strength and happiness.
What are your goals and aspirations for the future of ONEUS?
SEO HO: Our goal is to become better individuals and artists, and our aspiration is for many people to listen to our music and be positively influenced by it!
LEE DO: We want to make ONEUS more known in the world and perform on even bigger stages.
KEON HEE: I want to become an artist who can be someone's strength for a long time. I also want to have fun with our TOMOON during this 'Now (Original by Fin.K.L)' promotion!
HWAN WOONG: We want to continue trying various musical attempts and keep growing as we continue our activities. We also have a strong desire to become closer to the senior artists whom we looked up to when we were younger.
XION: In the future, we want to continue showcasing good music and performances as ONEUS for a long time. We'll keep showing our progress as ONEUS, so we would be grateful if you continue to support and show interest in us!
