Colors Of K-Pop To Marvel Ala Generation Z Myanmar 'Liven Up' Anti-Military Coup Demo

The creativity of Myanmar's anti-coup protesters. (Wikimedia Commons/သူ ထွန်း)

JAKARTA - Demonstrations against the military are nothing new in Myanmar. But there is something different from the protests against the Myanmar military rebellion which was held on February 1.

Amid the frenzy of democracy activists, including veterans of the 1988 events, there are striking colors in every demonstration this time around. Originally from the protesters who belonged to Generation Z or Gen-Z.

At the forefront of major protests, apart from wearing colorful costumes and stylish fashions, they were seen holding high colorful placards with well-chosen words satiating the coup leaders, while expressing their disapproval and anger over the coup.

Many of these young protesters, who proudly identified themselves as members of K-pop fandom and K series, weebs (Japanese pop culture fans), gamers, soccer fans to Marvel fans, joined the demonstration dressed as characters from the movies, anime, games to Marvel movies.

Received support from the older generation of protesters because of their peaceful, creative, organized actions and concern for the condition of Myanmar. Generation Z also presents a lively, entertaining, and innovative method of protest that can attract international attention, including being a hit on social media.

'You screw up the wrong generation', has become one of the movement's most repeated slogans, referring to Generation Z members who can be defined as those born in the late 1990s to early 2010s.

For example, Bella (20) who along with her two friends participated in a demonstration in Yangon. Like other Myanmar citizens, they were shocked by Myanmar's military action. The experience of her parents from the 1988 coup made Bella and her friends even stronger to oppose the military coup.

“Since then, we've spent the night worrying about what will happen, and when they will cut local phone lines and the internet again. And wondering who will be detained next,” Bella said while taking part in a sitting protest on Pagoda Kabaaye road, reported The Irrawaddy.

Anitia, a woman the same age as Bella, feels the same way. He said that since the last February 1 coup, he was fed up with the conditions caused by the Myanmar military which caused their rights and freedoms to be taken away forcibly.

Conditions that made Anitia excited to join children her age in opposing the military coup. At noon, she took to the streets to demonstrate. At night, they followed the ritual of hitting pots and pans, which had become a popular way of showing resistance to the military regime.

"We will not let them ruin our future. Our parents must suffer under a dictatorship," she exclaimed.

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy in a miniskirt and cross top stood among a group of young demonstrators dressed in colorful costumes and singing the popular revolutionary song, "A Yay Kyi Pyi".

The boy, Eant Htoo Aung, said he wore the clothes to attract more international attention about what was happening in Myanmar, in the hope that the country could get help from the global community to fight a military dictatorship.

"We don't accept a military coup. I am angry with the dictator who arrested Amay Suu (Aung San Suu Kyi), who is very good for our country,” he said in a clear voice while holding a vinyl sign bearing the slogan 'Free Amay Suu Government'.

Htoo Aung said, he and his peers had to leave online classes and put mobile games aside, to join against the coup carried out by the military.

Cora, a girl who was part of the same protests, said she had heard of the former dictator from books and older generations, but facing such a regime had in fact strengthened her opposition to dictatorship.

“Don't they know that the internet is our main source for learning, especially in the era of COVID-19? How can they do that?" She said, referring to the interference and disruption of the internet since the military launched the coup.