I Visited Myanmar in 2023

I visited what is known as the "Weirdest City in the World" Despite the strict travel warnings for Myanmar, I visited the country with my friend James.

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My Instagram: Instagram: LukeKorns
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[jamesyan]

Hey Luke, it was an absolute honour meeting you! I'm so glad that we had the opportunity to reflect about our current situation and life in general during these past 3 weeks. You are truly a gifted storyteller of people's lives around the world - thank you for coming here and travelling with me. I am lucky enough to have such a kind-hearted friend like you; already missing your presence! Reading all of your comments made me feel so happy; hopefully we can travel together again soon! Thank you for being such an amazing person, my man :)

[YesTheory]

Luke this is your best story yet. Seeing you travel through a struggling country at war like Myanmar, I see you maturing and learning about the world in similar ways that I have personally been humbled enough to be able to do.

I know how psychologically hard these trips can be for reasons anyone who’s never been will ever relate to. Proud of you, can’t wait for more

[drewbinsky]

amazing vidoe man, the fact that this was all shot on iphone is wild. You are really talented!

[hninhtet]

I'm just an ordinary girl who was born in Myanmar. I don't know how some others response to Myanmar about current situation tho, as a Myanmar citizen I really proud of myself for being a Myanmar. Whenever it could be, or whatever it will be, this country is my home. I believe the day I hope to be is coming.

Although I've known you just now, when I grow up, I want to be a person like you. Telling the life of some parts and some people of the world of ours. I'm neither a shining star nor the sun. I know I can't give light to the entire world. But I just want to be a star which can bright its environment, as being a little star tho.

I... I just want some people to know what the other side of the world be like..

I am really glad to say thank to Mr Luke for this video.

[yessssand]

Currently, I'm a 19 years old student in Burma. I couldn't act blind enough to join any university during this coup. So, I stopped going to school after seeing all the tragedy, deaths and hellishness happening to our students and our people. Right now, I'm working to support my family during the revolution. I wish all the souls we've lost in the revolution best of everything and eternal peace. For all of our people who come across the video, I want to remind you all that "this too shall pass". Stay strong. Stay committed to the revolution. We fight back not because we're certain we'll win. We fight because it's the right thing to do.

[ssirin]

As a Thai person, I had to study a lot about our history of old wars with Myanmar (most of it twisted propaganda for the sake of patriotism) and was always curious about this country. Then I had a chance to visit when Myanmar started to officially open its borders in 2011 and then revisited in 2014. Even in those short years I could see how much the country developed through foreign investments and tourism. The locals who were curious about my button Nokia phone that could take photos in 2011 all had huge touchscreen phones and were always enjoying taking selfies in 2014. I could feel their hopefulness for a bright future, so it broke my heart when the coup happened. Not saying Thailand is much better since the current government also came from a coup, but the level of military oppression is on another level in Myanmar since there are more ethnic minorities there. Many Burmese people are already working in Thailand and they probably feel like they can't go back. I pray for James and everyone in Myanmar. May peace and stability be restored soon and I hope to someday be able to revisit all the places I had been to.

[amysharpe]

This video was as much about James as it was about Myanmar. You have a gift for connecting with people and sharing their story through their country. It's fascinating (and usually heartbreaking) to watch. You're an artists Luke. Don't ever stop what you're doing

[shinthantwinminthu]

As a fellow 2nd year student in Myanmar, I can reassure that James literally represents almost all young people in Myanmar. We want to try to go forward but every situation is holding us back. What James said is so true. The future is out of our control and we don't know what to do with our lives and it infuriates me. Inflation is also insane and it's like we all are living for just food and shelter day by day. Luke thank you so much for coming to our country during these times because it must be so hard. I have been feeling numb because of situations during these two years and I literally bawled my eyes out after watching this video. Hope this video reaches to everyone . I guarantee that there is so much potential in our country and our people. We just need to end this. Thank you so much Luke and James.🤍

Edit - Thank you so much for all the kind words. I appreciate it. We will stay strong.🙌

[imazunnie]

"I was born here, and I have no choice" The most relatable quote for me, being a youth in myanmar. Some are fighting in war, some were lost their lives. I don't know how to explain but myanmar rn is a hell on earth and we are still struggling to breathe. Living through day by day with hearts full of guilty and worrying about our futures. Hope we can overcome this and appreciate the value of our lives. Stay strong, my fellow friends. And thank you for making this content, Luke and James. I love this very much.

[maybeanny]

I was born and raised in Myanmar, but this is the first time such a bad situation has happened. All of us really want this to end as fast as it should.Also we all are trying so hard to go through and fight. We need more videos like this to grab attention to our country. It was greatful to watch your videos.

[johns]

I constantly rewatch this vid because it is so beautifully done. Luke and James are just wonderful too. My heart goes out to James too for the struggle he has.

[simonfrancisluttrell]

I was a teacher in Naypyitaw from 2018-2021 until Covid hit, and previously taught in Mandalay and Yangon. I find Myanmar a fascinating and very sad country, with the current situation ignored by the world community. I'm on my way back to teach again in Myanmar in a few months from now, because right now the people of Myanmar, and especially students and young people need all the help that we can give them. "III"

[securedtortilla]

I lived in Myanmar for 5 years as a kid (I'm from the United States). One of the most amazing and underrated countries in the world. Even before the coup, Naypyidaw was like this. 10 lane highways with two cars. Incredible. Thank you for bringing back these now bittersweet memories Luke, whether ballooning or sitting in a wooden kayak on the lake. Always amazing storytelling and filmmaking.

[alexayh]

Myanmar is a beautiful country with a lot of natural resources. Myanmar people are very kind and helpful.
If there has no military dictatorship, Myanmar will be the best country to visit in South East Asia.

[thogameskanaal]

Deep respect for trying to live life as free as possible while stuck under the blanket of mass anxiety and fear of the future. Always need to remind myself to keep smiling, and if James can do is, so can I.

[JayPalfrey]

my favourite video of yours, Luke, what an incredible story! Wishing James a bright future

[jamesallen]

From one James to another - good luck, enjoy life. Stop and stare. Thank you for the video, Luke. You're incredibly good at delivering a story much richer in meaning than the sum of its parts.

[johns]

This is really beautifully done especially the section where James talks about his future against the sunset. And James is such a nice guy.

[kaunghtetwinmyint]

I'm a Burmese and very sad to see all falling apart in my own country, but still u made a really good story. Thank U & support u 🙏.

[belnolf]

the respect and admiration for the local culture that you have is always visible in your creations and makes me respect you and your work more and more each time. its amazing to see you grow and a storyteller and filmmaker. so proud ❤❤❤