Wanyiwah Phondphaothanandon, known also as Martha Htoowah and as Wan Yi Hwa, is a Burmese singer. Originally born in Thailand, her family moved to South Korea in 2016 seeking refugee status. Her father, Sawtinhtweaye Phongphothandon, was a famous singer in Myanmar who performed under the stage name Htoowah until his sudden death in 2014, which is why she uses it as one of her stage names. As her family is part of Myanmar’s ethnic minority, the Karen people, she identifies as Burmese despite having been born in Thailand. In South Korea, she participated in the regional singing competition for foreigners held in Incheon in 2018 and she impressed the head judge and then conductor of the Seogu District Choir, Lee Kyung Ja, who offered her free vocal lessons. She later took part in the "National Trot Festival" and her story was made public which earned her a lot of respect and love from the viewers, reaching the Top 36 in the competition.
Her mother recently passed from liver cancer, and she dedicated her performance on "Immortal Songs" in 2022 to her.
(Source: French = Nautiljon & English = The Korea Times || Translation = MyDramaList)
