Cat king lives!
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Elvis impersonator Jiang Zhenwei. [Global Times] |
Ask someone in China, "what's your favorite Elvis song?" and you're often met with a blank stare and a puzzled attempt at repeating his name. Its only after using his more familiar moniker "Mao Wang" (Cat King) will you get a polite yet still uncertain nod of recognition.
This vague familiarity typifies the relationship between the King and the Middle Kingdom. And as fans throughout the world paid tribute to Elvis on what would have been his 75th birthday on January 8, here there was less than royal fanfare for the King of Rock and Roll, yet another indicator of how China and the West were worlds apart during the 1950s and 60's, the period of Elvis' golden reign.
But that doesn't mean there aren't those doing the good work in keeping the King alive in China and what better ambassador of such a Western cultural icon than an Elvis with Chinese characteristics.
"Chinese Elvis is the best of the West with an Eastern twist. He is charming, peace-loving, egalitarian and above all sexy, which is unusual," said Paul Hyu, a UK-based British- Chinese tribute artist who bills himself as the "Chinese Elvis."
"Most other ethnically diverse Elvi are jealous of Chinese Elvis. I can't prove this, of course, but its a hunch I get when I meet them. So far my only proof is that I won the Elvis-special edition of The Weakest Link (BBC TV) against Elvi from Canada, Norway, Germany and Malta," he added.
Hyu is a professional stage actor who has performed as his kingly persona all over the world, bridging gaps in culture with rock and roll diplomacy.
"I believe all Sino-Western relations could be improved by having Chinese Elvis present, endorsing the good stuff with a sexy shake of his pelvis and making both sides realize what we have in common is far greater than what makes us different."
Hyu is not the only Elvis gyrating for Sino-Western relations. China has her own King of Rock and Roll and he's making up for lost time.
"Historically, China just missed Elvis, it was a matter of timing," said Jiang Zhenwei, the most famous (and only) Elvis impersonator in China. Over the past six years, the 27-year-old Shanghai resident and graphic artist has performed on various nationally broadcast programs on almost every CCTV station, even catching the attention of some foreign media. However despite his e. orts, most in China are still clueless about the King.
"Some might have heard the name, but most people have no idea who he is or what he's about. I'll say "Cat King" and many think I'm talking about my pet."
The origin of this Chinese translation for Elvis draws from two sources; "Cat" referring to "Hillbilly Cat," a name Elvis was billed under early in his career and the more obvious "King of Rock and Roll." However other Chinese, especially those from Hong Kong, also cite Elvis' pelvic twists resembling the strut of a cat as inspiration for his feline nickname.
Admittedly, Jiang was unaware of the origins of Elvis' name or even his music until he was in college. While studying art at Nanjing Conservatory, a couple of his schoolmates called to his attention that "he looked just like Elvis."
"It wasn't until then I started buying his CDs and when I listened, even though I knew nothing about his music, I felt I'd heard it all before, like it was destiny."
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