Having been in the industry for more than a decade, Jackson Wang has diligently worked to express his authentic self, not only as an artist with creative outlets but also as a human being with emotions and different facets.
Ahead of his first solo concert in the Philippines, allkpop had the opportunity to chat with the Hong Kong-born artist.
Jackson first debuted in 2014 as an idol as a member of the global boy band GOT7, known for tracks like “Just Right,” “If You Do,” and “Hard Carry,” among others.
He admitted that while in GOT7, he could only show parts of his whole self. Being in a group requires members to work together, blending their individual colors to create a unique color representing the team.
“Let’s say when I’m in GOT7, whatever we do, it represents the seven of us. So I don’t think any member can be 100% themselves in GOT7 because we have the responsibility to be ourselves. Every decision is us,” he said.
Jackson emphasized that while such compromises are unavoidable when working in a team, he is still the same person. The difference is that previously, he showed only bits and pieces of himself to accommodate the group's needs in GOT7. Now, with his solo work, he has the creative freedom to dive deep and fully express his feelings and stories.
This journey has been in the works since he debuted solo with “Papillon” and founded his label, Team Wang, in 2017. All these efforts culminated well in his ‘MAGICMAN’ album series, which kicked off with its first full-length project in 2022 and continued with ‘MAGICMAN 2’ in July 2025.
“I think for my solo stuff across the years, especially the most recent two, three years, and my recent album is just talking about who I am as a person, how I feel,” he shared. “I think it’s the first time sharing it [with and]exposing it to my fans and community.”
The ‘MAGICMAN 2’ album is structured into four chapters: “Manic Highs,” “Losing Control,” “Realizations,” and “Acceptance.” Across 11 tracks, including “High Alone,” “Access,” “Everything,” and “GBAD,” Jackson guides listeners through a personal journey reflecting his own experiences and self.
Jackson noted that prior to the album series, he hadn’t fully articulated his vision as an artist. He shared a glimpse into his past experience as an idol: “If you really listen to [my music], there are some songs as GOT7 and also as myself, Jackson solo.”
“There are some songs that I didn’t even know what they meant when I’m performing. I don’t know about other teams. I can’t speak for other artists, but I can speak for myself. There are some songs that the company or whoever the A&R just gives you and just cuts it, you don’t even know what it means,” he added.
The ‘MAGICMAN’ series marked the turning point for Jackson, providing him with the outlet to pour his honest self and stories into a music project.
“I think this album is just the first time I’ve expressed who I am as a human being. How I feel about life, what I’ve been through, and most importantly, how I recovered from my darkest days,” he said.
He added, “I think whoever listens to the story will have their own version of that in life as well. For example, I wrote a song (‘Sophie Ricky’) about my parents, but when you listen to it, you’re going to think about your parents and think about your relationship with them. You’re going to think about a lot of stuff. When I wrote a song called ‘Made Me A Man,’ when you listen to it, it’s actually talking about whatever that happened can make you who you are today.”
With these albums, Jackson hopes to shed light and help listeners reflect and develop their own versions of his songs’ meanings. He aims for listeners to resonate strongly with his tracks and create their own stories out of the music.
“Just every single song is how I see the world. I think it’s important to share my feelings, and I hope that could help them in their version of it.”
This world described through his songs was given its own spotlight at his ‘MAGICMAN 2’ world tour, where his creative ideas and open emotions came together on one stage.
As he stated during his solo show, ‘MAGICMAN’ is “not an idea, not a concept. It’s everything I’ve lived. Every scar, every fall, every rise.”
“It’s not imagined, not inspired, but lived.”
Jackson’s goal is to be seen not just as an artist or a product, but as a human being. This authentic side is precisely what makes him stand out in the music industry.
“There are bad sides to who I am, but there’s also my honest side. That’s why on the internet, you see me just being me, because it’s okay to be me. I want to make sure that my community, my followers, and my friends know who they are supporting. And if you don’t support who I am, it’s okay as well. But I want to make sure that I’m honest with you,” he said.
If there’s one message Jackson wants to convey to his fans and listeners, it is to accept everything—the good, the bad, and everything in between. These things, even the seemingly little ones, shape who you are today and who you are meant to become.
“Just accept everything and every decision you make. Just listen to your intuition, whatever your heart is telling you is what you really want to do, then just make that decision,” said Jackson.
Now that the ‘MAGICMAN’ era nears its end, it's time to welcome a new chapter of Jackson Wang’s story.
Having successfully imparted the message of “Find your magic and live the magic” to his listeners, and after showing how he navigates his own journey through darkness—in turn inspiring those who listen to his music—his next project naturally raises high anticipation for what's to come.
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