'Elvis' has a lot in common with K-pop music industry: director Baz Luhrmann

Director Baz Luhrmann, left, and actor Austin Butler of "Elvis" attend an online press conference with Korean media, Tuesday. Courtesy of Warner Bros. Korea

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Baz Luhrmann, the writer-director of the musical biopic "Elvis," explained that Elvis Presley's success paved the way for K-pop idols.

In a recent online press conference with Korean reporters, Luhrmann talked about how the cultural icon of the 20th century has a lot in common with the K-pop music industry, in terms of being a teen idol who experienced tension with his manager.

"K-pop culture began with Elvis in the 1950s. He was the first ever idol. We become conscious that business is important, but an artist's soul is the most important thing," he said.

The director, well known for his previous films like "Romeo + Juliet" (1996), "Moulin Rouge" (2001), and "The Great Gatsby" (2013), said he wanted to "peel back the rusty old curtain that comes over Elvis's white jumpsuit" and introduce Presley to a younger generation who knows him only as a Halloween costume.

"They don't realize he was a rebel. As a teen idol, he was wearing makeup and lace shirts, like Harry Styles," he said.

Actor Austin Butler plays the role of Elvis Presley in the film, "Elvis." Courtesy of Warner Bros. Korea

The film tells Presley's story from Colonel Tom Parker's (Tom Hanks) point of view, and it portrays Presley's meteoric rise to fame and eventual fall.

Actor Austin Butler, who played the role of Presley in "Elvis," shared how he got the starring role after auditioning for five months and working on his vocal abilities for a year and a half.

"I wasn't a singer beforehand and I'm also quite a shy person, so I knew I had to work really hard on multiple levels when it comes to singing. I was obsessed with Elvis's vocal manner and I sing all the songs in the film because Elvis spoke through music," he said.

On portraying the legendary performer on screen, Butler said being linked to Presley's legacy is a huge honor for him.

"It means the world to me. It is everything to me. This has been a moment in my life where there is an immense amount of gifts. I feel grateful for the friendship and collaboration that we got to experience in two years. I realized that even Elvis felt fear, and in the midst of fear, he channeled it in a positive way by creating beautiful things," he said.

Luhrmann said he actually wanted to explore America in the 1950s to '70s.

"When you talk about America in the '50s, '60s and '70s, you can't get away with Elvis. He's at the center of culture," he said.

To answer 'how come we're given this world?' it's good to go back to the '50s and look at Elvis, who was born as a twin, whose father goes to jail, has black friends and dresses in a fluid way. He chose to be himself. Elvis is a good tale for young people who consciously think about fame: what's the price of fame?" he said.

"Elvis" will hit local theaters on July 13.

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