MV Deep Dive
"Not Alone"
Official Music Video for NDP 2024
Presenting the Music Video for NDP 2024, "Not Alone", sung by Benjamin Kheng.
Theme Song's Concept
The NDP 2024 theme song is composed and performed by Benjamin Kheng. ‘Not Alone’ pays homage to past NDP songs by incorporating familiar lyrics, evoking nostalgia, and rekindling Singaporeans' connection to patriotic sentiments. It adopts a first-person perspective and incorporates melancholic lyrics to validate Singaporeans' feelings, while encouraging collective progress. The song's progression into an uplifting second half aims to foster a sense of belonging among Singaporeans, transcending barriers and instilling a familial bond.
Music Video's Concept
Jointly directed by Koo Chia Meng, Brian Gothong Tan, and Davier Yoon, this year's NDP music video features Benjamin Kheng, supported by the Music and Drama Company (MDC) ensemble. The music video combines two visual styles – the first being a minimalist and introspective world that captures the reflective mood of the song, highlighting Singaporeans’ journey through the past 59 years; and the second featuring vignettes of Singapore, both past and present, illustrating the evolving social memories of Singaporeans. These styles are woven together by strips of multi-coloured ‘fabric’ in the video, serving as a metaphor for the fabric of society, multiculturalism and the Singapore River. Through these visual and emotional threads, the music video celebrates the spirit of the nation, highlighting the tapestry formed by our shared experiences and heritage. Reflecting the title of the song, "Not Alone," the music video celebrates our strong bonds, depicting Singaporeans working, playing, learning, and living together.
Virtual Production
While Benjamin sings alone, the collective memories of Singaporeans gradually come to life. Using the Gaussian Splatting technique , 3D scanned environments were created within a virtual production studio, seamlessly blending the realms of reality and memory. These 3D-scans mirror the exact scenes from the vignettes, enriching the visual storytelling with authenticity and depth. The viewer joins Benjamin in his journey through time, celebrating the enduring spirit and shared experiences that bind us together as a community. This fusion of technology and emotion underscores the message that, despite the passage of time, we are united in our collective heritage and memories.
Vignettes
Inspired by Singapore's rich living heritage, the vignettes capture both the past and present to showcase the diverse life experiences of Singaporeans across generations. It highlights Singapore’s living heritage – the traditions, crafts, expressions, knowledge and skills that we practise and inherit – as a crucial part of our identity and its interconnectedness with our nation's diverse cultures. These vignettes transcend the barriers of language, race, gender, and time. Throughout the development of the nation, our experiences, culture, and identities endure. The Music Video culminates in a poignant rooftop celebration, symbolising the unity and harmony of our diverse community and the enduring spirit that binds us together.
The Motif of ‘Fabric’
The elements of the Music Video are unified by the appearance of multicoloured cloths that represent Singaporeans’ shared experiences, soaring through various scenes. In the final scene, the cloths drape over the housing estate, illustrating how individuals, like threads, come together to form a resilient and united nation.
Official Lyrics
VERSE 1
How do I reach for the skies
If I’m feeling low,
Don’t know where to go
How do I stand when it’s time
When spirits are high
And flags are flying
PRE-CHORUS 1
But then I come to the river
That runs through my town
Where our fathers and mothers
have watered the ground
And the roads I have walked
And the faces I know
Oh I know, I know
CHORUS*
If we just look to each other
Then this house will feel like home
And the more we’re together the further we’ll go
You and I we’re Not alone '
Not Alone
(You and I we’re, not alone yeah)
VERSE 2
[CALL]
How do I know I belong?
[RESPONSE]
We’ll find love for
Every creed and colour
If we lean on one another
[CALL]
How will I ever get there?
All I know is
[RESPONSE]
You and me do better
When we run together
PRE-CHORUS 2
But then I come to the river
and fears start to fade
my brothers and sisters
we journey the same
And I know, I know
BRIDGE
Just one ripple in a river
Can be the one to turn the tide
When the water rises
I'll be right by your side
FINAL VERSE
And if they ask of my home
When I'm miles apart
I'll think of the people I hold in my heart
The family I found, and the faces I know
I know, I know
BTS
Join us to get a Behind-the-Scenes look at the filming and planning process
of this year's Music Video, "Not Alone".
Credits for the Music Video
Music & Lyrics by Benjamin Kheng & Evan Low
Executive Producer: Bang Wenfu
Music Producers: Benjamin Kheng & Evan Low
Mix & Master: Charlie Kurata
Performed by Benjamin Kheng ft. Music & Drama Company Singers & Lisa Haryono
Key Partners
National Heritage Board
Tai Sun (Lim Kee) Food Industries Pte Ltd
Yeo Hiap Seng Pte Ltd
Aux Media Group
RED Digital Camera
WeTheFlyers
Production House: Fiction Shore Pte Ltd
Director (Narrative Vignettes): Koo Chia Meng
Director (Benjamin Kheng ft. MDC Singers): Brian Gothong Tan
Director (Visual Effects & Virtual Production): Davier Yoon
Executive Producer: Xu Xin’en
Producer: Ottylia Liu
1st Assistant Director: Gina Tan
2nd Assistant Director: Soh Hui Min
3rd Assistant Director: June Ang
Director of Photography: Kevin Yeoh
1st Camera Assistant: Lee How Chuen
2nd Camera Assistant: Fiona Wong | Mohammad Haris Bin Mohd Tahah
Camera Intern: Steffie Tan
Ronin Tech: Rahul Radhakrishnan
Data Wrangler: Munesh Varadaraju
Gaffer: King Li
Key Grip: Eric Tan
Key Grip Assistant: Abdul Siddiq
Grips: Abdul Siddiq | Ko Swee Kheng | Dickson Chua | Ng Shun Rong
Junior Grip: Teo Zhi Xian
Art Director: Asa Meow
Art Assistants: Jessleen Loy | Jessica Tan | Abang Adli | Ihsan Bin Abdul Rahim
Casting Director: Maximilian Liang
Casting Assistants: Nathanael Khoo | Jaevis Lam | Javier Yeo
NDP24 Costume Designer: Max Tan
Wardrobe Stylist: Gina Jong Koh
Wardrobe Assistants: Sarah Kwok | Seah Wan Qi
Hair & Makeup: Jennifer Choong | Yvonne Yeo | Yumi
Production Manager: Emily Teng
Production Assistants: Yak Chin Hue | Regina Teo | Chow Hui Xian | Sherelle
Production Assistant Runner: Samuel Phua | Joel Johahnen
Post Production House: Infinite Frameworks Pte Ltd
Editor: Joan Chia
Post Producer: Ng Yu Wei
Assistant Editor: Ethel Mendoza
Colorist: Eugene Seah
Visual Effects & Virtual Production: CraveFX
VFX Director: Yang Si Shuo
VFX Team: Yang Si Shuo | Chong Shi Jie | Tarun Kumar
3D Supervisor: Khoo Yi Hui
3D Asset Creation: Vanessa Lim | Yeon Hui Shan
VFX Producer: Ong En Ci
Virtual Production Director: Joshua Tan
Real-time 3D Supervisor & Developer: Kenny Chow
Virtual Production Studio: Aux Media Group
Virtual Production Executive Producer: Choong Chyi Kei
Virtual Production Creative Consultant: CheeK
Virtual Production Supervisor: Anthony Levi Kho
Virtual Production Partnership Lead: Nicholas Tan
Virtual Production Partnership Assistant Lead: Michelle Chong
Virtual Production Producer: Charm Teo
Virtual Production Assistant Producer: Nicholas Pang
Brain Bar Team: Chris Yan Kun | Abraham Chew | Benedict Khoo
Technical Director: Andrew Chiam
Technical Consultant: Kelvin Lau
Lighting Operator: Teng Xin Ling | Shane Goh
Drone Operation Partner: WeTheFlyers
Aerial Team Lead: Edwin Ho
Aerial Director Of Photography: Rion Koh
FPV Lead: Victor Wan Yi
Drone Pilot: Glendon Low
Drone Assistant: Candice Teo
Music Production supported by So Drama! Entertainment and Music &
Drama Company
Atmos Mix: Mandric Tan
Recording Engineers: Adam Shah & Ningru Guo
Cast: Bukit Timah Railway
Railway Father: Pradeep
Railway Mother: Yogeswari
Railway Toddler : Thanishka
Railway Extras: Leong Minn Yi Esther | Joshua Leong Jian Hao | Teo Shen Rui Shaun | Ng Jian Cheng Daniel | An Guohao | Chai Kah Wei | Lim Xuan Nai Brandon | Tan Yang Hua Collin | Adiel Rusyaidi Bin Ruslani | Mohd Ashid Bin Amil Hamzah | Mirza Putra Naim Bin Ahmad Najib | Nurbatrisyia Iman | Siti Syahidah Binte Saaid | Muhammad Shafiq Bin Sani | Priyadharshini Nedumaran | Durai Pavithra | Hang Tuah | Sng Cheng Xuan
Cast: Kampong Farewell
Kampong Boy: Christian Pereira
Kampong Grandfather: Christopher Pereira
Kampong Mother: Nicole Marie
Kampong Father: Shotam Sherman Prescott
Kampong Sibling: Alessandria Sage | Savannah Anne | Mycah Quinn
Kampong Boys: Jace Raphael Chua | Reece Jevon Chua | Jeth Ryford Chua | Ryhan Firzan Bin Mohammad Sarman | Rifiq Aidiq Putra Mohammad Fauzi | Awalluddin Bin Noor Halis
Cast: Wayang
Young Photographer: Quinn Lum Fu Loong
Opera Performers: Xing Yi Li Xing Teo Chew Opera Troupe
Young Boy Listening: Thaddeus Ray Goh
Street Opera Extras: Sim Ling Chiow | Lee Hwee Keong | Looi Jee Luck | Wong Kai Wen | Liow Chiu Yen | Loh Suan Kiat | Pay Ah Yan | Khoo Zhen Kun Benjamin | Zhang Bowei, Justin | Kaelyn Teng | Leong Xuan En Anthea | Tay Yee Jie, Tayson | Emma Chang | Evonne Lim Jia Shean | Chua Yi Ran | Chua Siang Meng | Zheng Lin | Liew Teng Kern Danael | Ng Anne | Tan Yuting | Tan Yuqing | Tan Yulin | Tan Teck Lee | Ang Wei-En, Bryan | Ong Chai Lay | Lim Kim Yeong | Ng Pooi Chen | Rian Rizky | Nur Eriqayana
Cast: Army Bunk
NSFs: Tan Jun Xuan Ethan | Matthew Ong Kay Eng | Annadurai Vishal | Mirza Haziq Bin Kaswan | Syed Muslimin bin Syed Mohd | Tiernan Patrick O’Rourke | Zachary Kelly Putra Mahardika
Cast: KK Hospital
Newborn: Zidane Mikhail Bin Muhaimin
Newborn Mother: Nur Zalaikha binte Juhari
Newborn Father: Muhaimin bin Yusof
KK Medical Staff: Ang Mei Qi
Cast: East Coast Park
Classmates: Adamson Alagan | Holly Jean Aroozoo | Myla Rae Clarke Alagan | Naveen Raj | Anand Kumar | Kris Mavericko | Mohammad Shahrizam Bin Mohamad Shariff | Sri Nia Eidora Binte Muhammad Nur | Emielliana Mira Binte Jafry | Siti Rohana Binte Hamson | Neo Moh Sing | Kenneth Kuo | Lim Shannon Logan
Cast: Joji’s Diner
Singaporean’s Abroad: Jonathan Cheong | Mohammed Ashraf | Sophiea Tupzaz
Waitress: Angi
Diner Extras: Magdalena Wichman | Julia Van Steen | Lara Van Steen | Chris Koelnsperger | Petra | Wendy Maryzeline | Alvin Philemon
Cast: Airport Terminal 2
Airport Lady: Diyana Malik
Airport Grandma: Seamah binte Sulaiman
Airport Mother: Chantek binte Mohd Lias
Airport Father: Abdul Moin
Airport Cousin: Muhamad Syafiq Bin Abdul Latiff
Airport Close Friends: Shasha Malik | De Souza Shaun Gerard | Loo Bin Hui | Tay Song Heng Denzil | Md Faiq Iftekher Raad | Kevin Stevens
Airport Extras: Jaevis Lam | Nathan Yap Jun Wen | Lauren Yap Wen Xuan | Katherine Tang Mian Kheow | Lana Grace Lowe | Priyadharshini Nedumaran | Durai Pavithra | Frigillana Bianca Jean Illana | Bavana Senthil Kumar | Abirami Anandh
Cast: BTO Void Deck
BTO Father: Azzhar
BTO Mother: Eileen
BTO Little Boy: Aariz
BTO Little Girl: Eliana
Movers: Md Nazrin Bin Md | Muhamad Hairie Bin Morrie | Teo Peng Yuan | Nor Amin Bin Mohd Tahar
Cast: School Hall
Photographer: Leong Wai Tuck
Nam Hwa Young Performer: Kaide Lim
Nam Hwa Mentor: Hong Ru Wang
Young Performers: Muhammed Danniel bin Meskun | Muhamad Mikail Jnr Bin Muhamad Mikail | Varsha Veermani | Shayana Harini D/O Astheen Lamartin | Natalia Andryana Nonis | Astaea Eadric De Souza
Students: Nur Aisyah Binte Raffi | Elvin Chan Zhi Ying | Ng Yu Xin, Amelia | Ghouse Meyan Kathija Aalia | Faustine Meunier | Shayaan Sulaiman Sait | Hafsa binte Hameed | Muhammad Harith bin Mohammad Iskandar | Hong Xiao Xuan Reanne | Jayden Tay Yan Zhe | Ng Yao Zu | Haziq Ramadan bin Mohamed Fazli
Teachers: Ms Chua | Ms Nasyitah | Ms Achaiya | Mdm Ngauw | Mr Lee | Mr Chin | Mrs Poon
Cast: Rooftop Finale
Music & Drama Company Singers: Dominic Chin| Gail Belmonte | Rae Saleha | Izzathy Halil | Khim Ng | Kevin Brendan Raj Kumar
Band Members: Evan Low | Sharin Syazwan | Lisa Hayono | Claire Chew
Rooftop Ensemble: Nur Sabrina Siti | Ligo Luke Alvern Cueco | Kiew Hong Ren | Poh Tze Theng | Png Chee Yee | Won Tian Yongi | Tan Xin Ying Symone | Ricardo Irsyad Lachika bin Irfan (REDEAFINATION) | Loo Shi Yi Roseanne (REDEAFINATION) | Amirul Afiq bin Rozlan (REDEAFINATION) | Bibek Ray Chauduri | Aleksandra Sindiachkina | Adel Sindiachkina bin Adam | Isabella Sindiachkina Adam | Devanantthan S/O Tamilselvii | Lee Siang Aye Mary Gerladine | Ronita Paul | Natasha Binte Mohammad Zain | Klassen Christie Annabelle, Xue Ying | Genevieve Eugenia Klassen | Chan Mui Leng Ng Linda | Tam Pei Wen | Nicholas Chen | Ellie Chen | Vera Leng Yuxin | Rian Rizky | Lauren Yap Wen Xuan | Nathan Yap Jun Wen | Katherine Tang Mian Kheow | Regine Neo Pei Joo | Lim Siok Har | Loo Quan Xuan | Neo Bryan | Johan Zikri bin Sukandar | Muhammad Amsyar | Muhammad Audi Munawwar | Caliana Neo Mazzara Binte Muhammad Audi Munawwar | Sarvana Prakash Sham Karthik | Raleigh | Lona Zen De Silva | Aura Felaini De Silva | Ferra Love De Silva | Stuart Lanette Mrs De Conceocao Humphrey W | Jasper | Leyna Claire Sign | Ryley Nishan Singh | Leyton Jax Singh | Theresa Maria Enriquez | Htoo Ank Wai
NDP 2024 Multimedia Committee
Multimedia Chairman: Kenneth Kuo
MV Multimedia Liaison: Loo Bin Hui
Multimedia Producer: Yeo Zhi Qi
Multimedia Team: Sadric Koh | Ryan Ang | Foo Wei Hong | Hong Fang Jun | Lee Yung Khang | Jaevis Lam | Jerrell Ng | Yeo Jia Yuan | Marcus Yeak | Joshua Ang | Javier Yeo | Vegas Lee
Special Thanks
3 Division Artillery, Amoy Quee Camp
Anomalyst Studio Pte Ltd
Bendemeer Secondary School
Changi Airport Group
Cinegear (S) Pte Ltd
Jewel Changi Airport
Joji’s Diner
KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Land Transport Authority
Music & Drama Company (MDC)
Nam Hwa Opera Limited
National Parks Board
Poh Tiong Choon Logistics Limited
Pulau Ubin Fo Shan Ting Da Bo Gong Temple
ReDEAFination
Tanjong Pagar Town Council
Woodlands Secondary School
Zhao Wei Films Pte Ltd
Andy Benjamin Cai
Eric Sim
Howie Kim
Peter Gn (Dr), Ministry of Education
Special Thanks: Photo Montage Contributors
SPH Media Limited (Tanjong Pagar Railway Station)
Kouo Shang-Wei collection, National Library, Singapore (Wayang Kulit, Singapore River)
Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore (Kampung Children)
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore (Marching Band)
Lee Kip Lin and National Library Board Singapore (Masjid Sultan)
Paul Piollet Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore (Street Hawkers)
Oh Jun En and family (Taman Jurong)
Cayden & Carlos family (Bukit Timah Hill)
Roots SG (Hawker Centre)
Keith Wee (Dragon Playground)
Sha Tansri (Old Parliament House)
@missuschewy (SEA Aquarium)
Andy and friends (Kallang River)
Courtesy of Ryan Peters and Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF)
Ang Jia Xi and JB1304R (ITE College East Graduation)