Portraits

Captain Zero (a revolutionary alias) is a 32-year-old man from Hmawbi Township, Yangon Region. He served as a Captain at the Kapasa (21) in Seikphyu Township, Magway Region. After the coup, Captain Zero believed that the military takeover was wrong. He urged fellow officers and soldiers within the military to oppose the coup. This led to him being monitored and warned within the military. Despite this surveillance, on the early morning of May 16, 2021, he left the military camp and joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). Captain Zero believes that the coup has set the country back and he refuses to accept it. Unable to remain in the same organization as those who carried out the coup, he joined the CDM to resist and fight back in any way he could. Currently, Captain Zero is actively involved in the revolution, contributing in various ways to the fight for the downfall of the military junta. His courageous stance and participation in the revolution play a vital role in Myanmar's struggle for the restoration of democracy.

Daung (artistic name) is a former footballer and a successful, famous, and nationally acclaimed Academy Award-winning actor. His real name is Thura Aung and he was born on March 30, 1990, in Minhla Township, Thayarwady District, Bago Region. After the coup, Daung actively campaigned for the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), which opposes the military regime. In response to his activism, the military-controlled Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) announced that he had been stripped of his Myanmar citizenship.As a stateless person, Daung sought refuge in neighboring Thailand and is actively involved in the ongoing Spring Revolution, using his artistic skills to raise funds for the cause.

Honey Nway Oo is a model, actress, and artist, and also the captain of the YUFL women's football team. She was born on March 19, 1999, in Yangon. She is of English, Chinese , Burmese , Shan mixed heritage. While studying German at the Yangon University of Foreign Languages in 2019, she modeled for local magazines and music videos, and was appointed as a brand endorser for Oppo. After the 2021 Myanmar coup, she actively participated in anti-coup protests, which forced her to go into hiding. Along with many other prominent figures, she called for participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and supported the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. Consequently, she was charged with incitement to disrupt public peace and tranquility. On July 3, 2021, the military arrived at her family home in Lanmadaw Township, and announced that the junta had sealed off and confiscated the property. Later, she joined a revolutionary group known as the “Student Armed Force“ and currently serves as a military officer. She also raises funds for the revolution. At a military training graduation ceremony, she received the “sharpshooter“ award.

Han Htue Lwin, also known by his stage name Kyar Pauk, is a prominent Burmese singer-songwriter, guitarist, and music producer. Born in 1983 in Taungoo, Myanmar, he is the son of Ringo, a renowned mainstream singer from the 1990s. He graduated in dental surgery from Yangon University in Myanmar. He chose to follow his passion for the arts instead of pursuing a medical career. He is a multifaceted Burmese artist renowned for his contributions to music, literature, and visual arts. He has made significant contributions to Myanmar’s punk and alternative music scenes, most notably as the founder and lead vocalist of the punk rock band Big Bag which he founded in the summer of 2001. The band’s high-energy performances and rebellious spirit quickly connected with young audiences, creating a loyal fan base. He is also a multi-instrumentalist, proficient in guitar, vocals, handpan, and drums. His contributions continue to inspire and influence a new generation of artists in the country. It is evident that the nation’s political instability has influenced the themes and expressions in his music. Like many artists, Kyar Pauk uses his platform to address societal issues, and the political climate has undoubtedly shaped the powerful messages in his songs. In addition to his music and writing, Kyar Pauk has made a name for himself as a talented visual artist, captivating audiences with his thought-provoking paintings and exhibitions. On March 9, 2018, he held his first solo art show, “Outelligence,“ in Yangon, offering a glimpse of his artistic talents beyond music. His creative work extends to comics and his paintings have been showcased in both group and solo exhibitions, including “Liberated Zone“ at the Suvannabhumi Art Gallery in Chiang Mai, Thailand (2022), and “The Travel of Hope“ at Heartspace Gallery in Chiang Mai (2023). Additionally, Kyar Pauk served as a coach on The Voice Myanmar for its first three seasons, from 2018 to 2020, where he mentored aspiring singers, sharing his rich musical knowledge and experience. After the 2021 Myanmar coup d’état, Kyar Pauk became an active participant in the anti-coup movement, using social media to voice his opposition. On April 3, 2021, the State Administration Council issued an arrest warrant for him under section 505(a) of the penal code, due to his outspoken criticism of the coup and his support for the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). His vocal stance against the junta ultimately led to his exile. On October 18, 2021, he auctioned a custom-painted ukulele featuring his distinctive doodle art. The auction raised $27,500, setting a world record for the most expensive ukulele ever sold. All proceeds were donated to support the National Unity Government's efforts against the military junta. [Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/nwVjrO2uAgk] Escaping Myanmar with his two daughters, he spent two years in hiding in Thailand. In 2023, Kyar Pauk relocated to France and became a member of the Agency of Artists in Exile, an organization supporting artists who have fled their home countries. He has organized numerous fundraising activities to support the National Unity Government (NUG). Since his arrival, he has been actively involved in the French art scene, participating in exhibitions and performances. He is also an accomplished author, having published several books such as Knott Funni, The Strange Old Man, Kyaung Sar (2019), and The Odyssey (2024), the latter of which was translated into both French and English. In “The Odyssey“, he reflects on themes of displacement, identity, and belonging. Having fled a politically unstable Myanmar, the book highlights the sense of loss and confusion that many exiles experience, but it also delves into the process of adaptation and reinvention. To reconnect and engage with his fans, Kyar Pauk released “Live Session in Paris,“ an album showcasing live performances of his songs, recorded during a special session in Paris.The live session was streamed online on December 21, 2024, giving ticket holders an exclusive opportunity to be part of the experience., and is now available for free viewing on his YouTube channel.

Wai Moe Naing, widely known as Panda Lay is from Monywa, Sagaing Region and was born on 26 September 1995. He is one of the most prominent activists of the Spring Revolution who led anti-coup protests in Monywa. He is a member of Monywa's General Strike Committee and the Sagaing Regional Youth Committee. He served the Chair of the Monywa University Student Union from 2014 to 2015. He is also a writer and began his literary career at the age of 13, publishing short stories in local magazines. Wai Moe Naing has organized daily non-violent protests in Monywa against 2021 military coup and thus was a target of the military. During a protest on April 15, 2021, members of the military rammed a vehicle into his motorcycle and violently arrested him. He was then accused with number of charges including incitement, unlawful assembly, and high treason. In August and October 2022, he received sentences totaling 14 years. On April 5, 2023, he was sentenced to an additional 20 years on charges of robbery, rioting, and carrying a deadly weapon in a crowd. Subsequently, on May 19, 2023, he was convicted of high treason and sentenced to another 20 years, bringing his total prison term to 54 years. Organizations such as PEN International have condemned his imprisonment and called for his immediate and unconditional release, highlighting concerns over the military junta's suppression of free expression and dissenting voices in the country.