Viral video shows woman streaming aerobics class as Myanmar coup appears to unfold behind her

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A video of a woman, doing what seems to be aerobics, has gained worldwide recognition after it appeared to capture the first moments of Myanmar’s armed forces staging a military coup.

The strange scene was recorded in the capital Naypyitaw and shows black SUVs driving up to a security checkpoint on the road which reportedly leads to the Assembly of the Union. Military vehicles are also visible, as can a figure opening up the barricade to let vehicles through.

Meanwhile the dancer, a woman reported to be Khing Hnin Wai, is busy performing a full exercise routine to music, apparently completely oblivious to what is going on behind her.

The three-minute exercise video was posted on Facebook on Monday and has since gained global fame. One Twitter user called it: “the most emblematic video of the 2020s” and suggested it be made into the “official coup d'etat dance.”

Others compared the scene to the TV show Black Mirror and some Reddit users even photoshopped the dancer into videos of other seismic political events, including the recent storming of the US Capitol building.

The woman, who lists her occupation as a physical education teacher, has previously posted videos of her doing workouts at the same location.

When the video went viral, Ms Hnin Wai posted again to say that it was not a fake and that she had been filming her exercise routines in that location for 11 months.

The raids took place early on Monday morning, with Myanmar’s military detaining state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of her National League for Democracy party.

The military then declared a one-year state of emergency, took power and cut all phone and mobile services in the capital and Yangon.