ERIC NAM’S NEW SINGLE FANS THE FLAMES OF REVENGE
- Angela Hom
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
The hit Peacock show The Traitors has taken the world by storm, inspiring memes and now even music videos. Eric Nam has come straight off the Traitors train and is firing back at ex-ally and “traitor hunter” Rob Rausch (his words, not ours) in his newest single “How the Fire Started.” By surrounding himself with fellow co-stars from the Peacock TV show, Nam pushes the limit in his music video for this pop hit by asking, “What if the faithfuls sought revenge?”
Watch Eric set Rob’s farm ablaze here:
For those who have not been OBSESSED with The Traitors like the rest of the internet, this show combines classic American TV game show with a murder mystery party. It tosses a group of celebrities together in a bid to compete for a prize of up to $250,000. A select few contestants are chosen as “Traitors” who plot to take the money for themselves, while the rest of the players are known as “Faithfuls” seeking to split the prize between themselves (sans the Traitors). This addictive show begs the question: Who can you really trust?
Spoilers ahead!
This past season, Nam (aka the man with the magic ears) competed to claim the prize as his own, and was recruited as a Traitor alongside Rausch (Love Island). In the end, Nam took the fall as Rausch backstabbed him, deceiving everyone, including fellow Love Island star Maura Higgins, who endured the most heartbreaking betrayal.
And what better way to come to terms with his time on the show than to write a song about it? Nam, originally from Atlanta, Georgia, taps into his southern roots in this music video. Partnering with Maura Higgins (Love Island), Natalie Anderson (Survivor), Ron Funches, and Yam Yam Arocho (Survivor), the revenge crew takes on Rausch in his prime setting: a ranch. Higgins, Anderson, Funches and Arocho are depicted as farm hands, symbolizing their position as Faithfuls. Nam brings them all together by almost being a devil on the shoulder character, encouraging the Faithfuls to turn on their boss, Rausch. The music video combines the story of revenge with classic western movie gags including an exciting western standoff. The video reaches its ultimate climax, depicting a crucifixion of Rausch, symbolizing how castmates sacrificed him to their vengeful desires. The cast sets the ranch ablaze as they dramatically strut away from the explosion in slow motion, reminiscent of an action-movie style scene. With one final comedic twist, Funches gives into his morals and saves Rausch by princess-carrying him through the haze.
Furthermore, the lyrics of this song depict Nam’s heart-rending perspective of Rausch’s betrayal. “Shame on me, thinking that you would save me. How can you turn and walk away from a fire you started?” Nam is almost pleading with Rausch to reflect on his choices from his betrayal and final decision to turn on him as an ally. During the season, there was much debate regarding how the final episode would play out and if Nam would turn on Rausch like he did to prior Traitors Candiace Dillard Bassett (The Real Housewives of Potomac) and Lisa Rinna (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills). However, from Nam’s own words, this was never even an option. “Oh, you never gave a damn about me / Oh, you know that's true / What you may not understand about me / Is I would never do the same to you.” Nam was adamant on playing a fair game and he stayed true to his word until the end.
Alternatively, “How the Fire Started” also fits the breakup song genre. Fanning the flames of romance can be a double-edged sword, just like trusting a “traitor hunter” like Rausch. When you put your heart on the line, anything is possible, and the weight of betrayal from a friend or lover is insurmountable. Nam’s time on The Traitors is a cautionary tale to be careful of who you trust, because you might be putting your fate in the hands of a snake (wrangler).
Don’t sleep on your newest revenge anthem and stream “How the Fire Started,” out now on all streaming platforms!
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Edited by Michelle Leung
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