Screengrab from “Dam” music video [ https://youtu.be/de6CnBa-qj0?feature=shared]
“I Have Always Wanted to Be Part of a Rebellion.”
That line stuck with me the first time I heard it in the movie, The Post.
There’s something about being part of a movement, a cause, a wave of change—no matter how big or small—that excites me.
Streaming SB19’s Dam (both the song and music video) is my latest “rebellion” work, if you may call it as such.
I became an A’TIN only in 2023, so witnessing their Simula at Wakas era launch for the first time was a new experience. The excitement, the passion, the energy—fans creating theories, analyzing every frame, connecting storylines—it was mind-blowing. The dedication was something else.
To support the launch of their new musical journey, I watched the Dam music video on repeat (with proper breaks, for sanity purposes).
This post isn’t about theories, nor the connection of their portrayed characters in their real life experiences. It’s not even a review of the music video. That has already been done by fans far more knowledgeable (and who have supported the group longer) than I am.
Screengrab from YouTube [https://youtu.be/de6CnBa-qj0?feature=shared
What stood out to me were the questions the music video raised to you and me.
1. What Do You Do When You Amass So Much Wealth?
After showing a castle, the camera zoomed in on Josh Cullen in a grand setting— anything but gold. It paints a picture of someone who has everything, yet still seems to struggle internally.
It made me think: What happens when we reach a certain level of success? Do we chase more, thinking it will bring us happiness? Or do we find contentment in what we have?
Money and success are tools, but they don’t always guarantee fulfillment. How we use them—whether for personal gain, to lift others up, or to give back—makes all the difference.
2. When is Enough, Enough?
There’s an old saying: It’s lonely at the top. My friend shared this reel with me to prove that it’s true.
Ken Suson’s part personified this, as he took one step over the other on a seemingly never-ending ladder. He’s tired – both climbing and fighting his internal demons.
This part reminds us that success isn’t always as glamorous as it looks. There are struggles along the way—people pulling you down, external forces working against you. But sometimes, the biggest enemy is yourself.
How often do we push ourselves beyond our limits, thinking that just a little more will make everything better? Just one more milestone, just one more achievement—until we realize we’ve lost ourselves in the process.
At what point do we stop chasing and start living?
3. Who Do You See in the Mirror?
Ah, the room full of mirrors. It’s easy to tell who’s appearing next, but still came as a surprise: the true and fake Stell Ajero (fans term it “red flag Stell” and “green flag Stell”).
We all look at ourselves every day. But do we really see ourselves?
Do we accept the person staring back? Or do we avoid our own reflection, afraid of what we might find?
Self-acceptance is one of the hardest battles we fight. We can have everything—money, status, admiration from others—but if we don’t accept ourselves, it will never be enough.
4. Do You Keep in Touch With Friends? With Family? With Nature?
Success can sometimes make us lose sight of what truly matters. This is what I thought of when I saw Justin de Dios’ scene, where he saw a vision of the vibrant tree, an exact opposite of what he was touching in the music video.
When was the last time you had a meaningful conversation with your family? When was the last time you checked in on an old friend, just to ask how they’re doing?
And beyond relationships—when was the last time you allowed yourself to slow down and connect with nature? To take a deep breath, unplug, and just be?
We can get so caught up in the chaos of life that we forget to nurture the things that actually give it meaning.
5. What Keeps You From Taking That One Step Towards Your Goal?
Sometimes, the only thing stopping us from reaching our dreams is ourselves. Pablo Nase’s character flying in and out of the castle, attempting to claim – or touch, at least – a throne, personifies this insight.
Fear, doubt, hesitation—we trap ourselves in a cycle of what-ifs.
Maybe we don’t need more validation, more success, or more things. Maybe all we need is to believe that we are enough. That we deserve to take that step forward.
6. How Do You Heal?
The most “damn, that hit hard” (pun intended) for me was when one of Ken’s crows finally breaks through the big mirror in Stell’s room, finally releasing the latter from bondage. Other crows attempted to break the mirror previously, but with no success. I guess you can only help another person if you choose to accept yourself and heal.
And maybe, just maybe—our own healing will help others heal, too.
I guess you can only help another person if you choose to accept yourself and heal. Damn, this hit hard. Screengrab from YouTube [https://youtu.be/de6CnBa-qj0?feature=shared]
Streaming Dam wasn’t just about “stan SB19”. It was about being part of something bigger—a movement that makes people think, reflect, and feel.
Both the song and music video are reminders of the struggles we all face—our battles with success, identity, and self-worth.
And maybe that’s the real rebellion: learning to face ourselves, embrace who we are, and take the steps we’ve been too afraid to take.
Because in the end, the hardest battles we fight are the ones within us.
0 Comments