On November 2, GOT7 member and solo artist Jackson Wang brought his ‘MAGICMAN’ show to Manila, Philippines for the first time.
Clad in a sleek, all-black ensemble, Jackson levitated high up on stage, spotlights on him, as he opened the two-hour-and-30-minute show. Elevated by pyrotechnics that ignited before the beat and the first line “Need you to save me” dropped, Jackson kicked off with “High Alone,” the first track off his recent full-length album, ‘MAGICMAN 2.’
After the monochromatic cinematic introduction, Jackson came back to the stage for “Access,” making his dramatic, red-themed entrance in a cube with the stage ablaze by flames.
A total of five lucky fans were then invited to the stage to simply sit down and watch Jackson serenade them with his dance moves and vocals.
Following the moments of audience frenzy, Jackson reappeared, now clad in an all-white princely outfit, and performed “Blue,” “Everything,” and “Dopamine,” completely transforming the atmosphere into a soothing section.
Jackson then returned with yet another grand entrance, showcasing his powerful stage presence in a streetwear style. He performed high-energy tracks, including “GBAD,” where he let the fans sing the lyrics out loud, fully immersing them in the show.
In a VCR segment, Jackson explained that his album series, ‘MAGICMAN,’ is not merely a concept, but a reflection of his own life: “It’s not an idea, not a concept, it’s everything I’ve lived. Every scar, every fall, every rise. Not imagined, not inspired, but lived.”
He offered a glimpse into his journey, aiming to inspire others to find and live their own inner magic.
Jackson didn't just share his artistic journey; he also opened up with personal stories before delivering heartfelt performances of “Dear:” and “Sophie Ricky,” a song dedicated to his parents. He shared a realization: “I used to think my parents would always be there no matter what. But it’s not.”
As the show neared its end, Jackson hyped up the crowd one last time, reminding everyone what a concert should be. He not only went down into the crowd but also, in a surprise move, invited fans up on stage to join him for the finale.
He conveyed his last speech: “Thank you for giving your time and effort to be here. I’m just one artist out of millions and millions of artists, and I’m blessed that I can have this opportunity here to share my story. Thank you for coming here to listen to my story. What I’ve always wanted to say is: life is tough in any industry. And as an entertainer, when I have the opportunity with you, I hope I can give you the message of saying: life is so hard, and sometimes, we all want to be perfect. Every single day, we wake up with social media with so much information. A lot of times, we lose ourselves. We don’t know who we are anymore. A lot of the time, we’re following what’s relevant, what’s trendy. But deep down, you know, a lot of times, you don’t really give a fuck. I feel like, a lot of times, [being] selfish is not a bad thing. And feeling not okay is okay. Why the fuck do we have to feel okay all the time? That’s why I say, ‘Live the magic.’ Whatever happened to you, good or bad, it made you who you are today. And for me, it made me a man. I want you to take away that message from today, more than a performance.”
The show was defined by Jackson's authentic duality. He presented himself without a “curated” idol image, being straight-up honest and open while simultaneously showing his soft side, particularly when speaking of his parents. Jackson was the artist who could tell the audience to “not give a fuck” and invite them to party with him on stage, yet also share relatable words that could resonate with them deeply.
The concert was a powerful moment where Jackson the human—complete with all his emotions—and Jackson the artist—with his full creative force—met on stage.
It was more than a concert or a party; it was a show where attendees left not feeling empty, but filled with happiness and with Jackson’s words that will serve as a light through life’s darkness.
“Don’t be so harsh about yourself. Find your own standard of happiness. Life could be beautiful.”
Jackson Wang’s ‘MAGICMAN 2’ in Manila was presented by iMe Philippines.
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