SB19's Newest Fan

(Fri Jun 27 2025)

Hello A'TIN! 👋🏼 I am an introvert like our bunso line, please do not share/repost in other social media platforms. I am shy 🙈🙏🏼.

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Context: I am not into Kpop nor P-pop. When it was starting to boom years ago (maybe end of high school?), I was still hooked up on my emo rock bands 🤘🏼🎸🎧. When pandemic hit and everyone around me became a kpop fan (everyone as in my sisters, cousins, best friend), I was busy with Hamilton the Musical 🎤. I was content and honestly, I don't have the time. I was hyper fixated on Epic: The Musical and Warriors (musical album) when SB19 suddenly took all my attention.

Which is to say, this was out of character for me.

Okay, not really. I always liked loud music.

Simula

It all started with live performances of DAM. (I am now one of those on tiktok who have watched their Bench Body of Work performance from every angle 👀)

Suddenly, I noticed that I don’t scroll up as quick when watching videos of SB19. The algorithm took the hint and eventually put more of DAM in front of me. And then more live performances appeared too. Ganito pala? 🙌🏼

I guess it made sense that DAM spoke to me. 1.) I am a fan of mythology. 2.) One of my side quests is to read and promote akdang pinoy books (#booktok) since 2022-ish, been expanding with Tagalog books too.

On top of that, 3.) the lyrics resonates right now as I overthink what I want to do with my life (burnout + sick and tired of AI). If I am to romanticize this, it is perfect timing.

Pa'no hahawakan ang pangarap
Kung maduduwag ka lang sa pahamak
Heto na heto na kailangan mong maniwala ✨

____ Paano hihigitan ang sagad na?

The nostalgia

I grew up watching Myx. My little sister reminded me lately that when she was young she could not change the channel because I will get mad 🤣. It was just me and music, everyday all day. It is where I found my favorite bands (MCR, Paramore, FOB, Urbandub, Chicosci), where I first felt comforted by loud songs (I still remember the feeling from Direction by Slapshock). I feel like I am now reliving that time in my life.

Ironic because I stopped being into it when Myx started introducing shows about Pop music. Because I do not understand the lyrics I was not able to appreciate the dancing, the entertainment. I wanted more of my rock bands not less at the time.

Back to SB19, my current favorite is their 5 year old rendition of Bakit Ba Ikaw in Myx. I go back here at least once a day. It perfectly highlights their talent and potential. Not to mention the lyrics on the screen in that style/font adds to my myx nostalia.

cringe disclaimer: red string theory, anyone?

It's just so funny to me that I like Ken the most 🤭.

So as it turns out, his fans are called sisiws 🐣. Which just so happens to be my branding, since 2018 (the same year esbi debuted 👀).

Long story short: in January 2018 my TL started calling me Kweh and associated me with Chocobo (a yellow bird game character that says "kweh"). This Chocobo reference I only learned much later from someone else. I already like yellow and ducks and chicks anyway so I didn't mind being referenced as this character.

On my birthday that year, I was gifted a chick stuff toy (Kweh) that I brought with me everywhere for 2-3 years.

Update: Kweh is out of retirement now as my subtle hint at being a fan of Ken.

To conclude, all signs say I am meant to be here 😆. Not to mention my dog's name is Chicken 🍗, and that Ken and I both have a squid tattoo 🦑. More lore of mine for next time.

Mahalima

On top of their songs and performances, there's just so many things to like about them, both as a group and individually. Pablo's leadership and lyricism (I am learning so many tagalog words 😅, thank you). Josh's confidence and wisdom. Stell's quick wit. Ken's fashion sense and how proud he is of being Bisaya. Direk Jah's creative mind.

Their 5 varying interests and personalities perfectly blend together, what kind of magic is this ✨? And you can say the same for their talents/strengths. Can you imagine if they all sing the same way and we can't distinguish each of their voice?

I genuinely enjoy watching how close they are. And how fun they are having during this era (exhibit A: any performance of Dungka).

I am also an A'TIN fan

I feel like a cheat. I knew and liked SB19 now at their prime, but it took years for them to get here. And it was all because of the fans who supported them since the beginning. Sometimes I wish I was there too.

But really, would I have been there? Before the global recognition. Before the many many proof of their undeniable talent. Before P-pop was taken seriously. 🤔

Again, I am new here. And one of the things I find inspiring are A'TIN. Didn't realize the amount of work they put in for the boys without asking for anything in return. An extension of 1Z's marketing team. Streaming. Trending. Fighting misinformation. And who does not love the fan driven CLAYGO initiative? Ambagan culture at its finest.

It gets toxic for sure though because the fandom is massive. I specially feel discouraged when my feed starts showing the fanwar.

Wakas

And suddenly I have a new dream, this time for 5 boys I don't even know in real life.

Please don't disband yet, I just arrived. 🙏🏼

Ok, back to the rabbit hole 🕳️