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Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
After ‘MAGICMAN 2,' Jackson Wang Is Done With The Magic Tricks
Jackson Wang Liu Song Jackson Wang finally feels like a weight has been lifted off him. Last week, the global artist released his third album , MAGICMAN 2 , the conclusion to his Magic Man persona, which he created to represent his internal and darker self. The album, which took two years to develop, is what Wang considers his most personal and intimate exploration of his thoughts on society, humanity, the music industry, and life in general. 'Aside from all the love [I've received since the release], I feel relieved,' Wang says through Zoom, taking a break from his album promotions in New York. 'I feel I'm more light. It feels like a detox. This is one of those albums that I feel like I need out there in my life. It's probably the first time that I've been this direct with my community, supporters, and fans. I feel great. I feel free.' The 31-year-old singer isn't holding back on his emotions and his thoughts in the album, which even includes a song about personal boundaries called 'GBAD,' which stands for 'Gotta Be A Dick.' The first single from the album, ' High Alone ,' explores themes of loneliness, isolation, self-worth, and the pressures of the entertainment industry. The music video itself showcases Wang as Magic Man, drowning in his performance, surrounded by an audience that claps and begins to walk away, representing how the industry can easily discard its talent. 'Every single song, there's a message,' he explains. 'This is just bits and pieces of highlights throughout the year that I had in my journals.' Jackson Wang // MAGICMAN 2 // Hate to Love TEAM WANG // 88Rising After working in the K-pop industry since 2011 as a trainee (and eventually debuting in 2014 as a member of GOT7), Wang had had enough of the constant daily grind. Between 2020 and 2021, Wang had suffered from burnout and a mental breakdown , leading to the creation of his album, Magic Man , and the character of the same name. In Magic Man , Wang focused on finding his creative spark and happiness again after feeling so lost for so long. After that release, he realized he needed more time away to truly give himself a break. 'I just needed that time off,' Jackson explains. 'For more than 10 years, I had schedules back-to-back. I didn't even have room or time to even think. Since I was 19, it feels like I was walking into a jungle and witnessing something that I wasn't ready for. It took me long enough to be here, and it got to a point where I felt like I couldn't take it anymore, because I felt like whatever I was doing was just quantity and not quality.' That time off allowed him to properly rest and assess his life, and figure out the message he wanted to convey as an artist. He's been through so much in his career as a K-pop idol and a soloist. He didn't feel a connection with some of his past songs, feeling like a fake while performing. He spent those few months spending quality time with friends and family, and began keeping a journal. The quiet and calm days allowed him to reflect on both the good and bad moments, especially his mistakes, and he began to connect with his internal self. Avoiding social media and truly disconnecting allowed Wang to be present with his thoughts. That's how MAGICMAN 2 came about. 'Before I die, I really want that moment to create this album to tell them exactly how I feel about everything – the industry, society, humanity, and reality,' he says. 'There was a dilemma of 'Should I do it or not? Is it going to be acceptable by the public?' But I realized you'll never be ready. So I took the opportunity to just make this decision.' Blending Wang's unique sound production and performance with rock, pop, and electronic beats, MAGICMAN 2 tells his internal journey through four chapters: Manic Highs (mental burnout and identity crisis), Losing Control (the spiral), Realization, and Acceptance (healing). He makes it clear that all the songs came from his journals, which produced 50-60 songs in total. He carefully selected the 12 songs that best fit every chapter of his experience. He admits some songs were a bit repetitive and not as straightforward, and maybe a few random ones here and there. He is satisfied with the songs that were picked in the end because they all connected to his life story. 'Word for word in the entire album, all the lyrics are straight from my journals,' says Wang. 'For example, the line that I said [in 'Everything'], 'I know it all, but I don't know me. I'm falling down. Who's there to catch me?' It feels like I'm surrounded by a lot of people every single day leaning on me, but who am I supposed to lean on, right? There are so many people around me every single day, but why do I feel so lonely? Then I just accepted the fact that we are born alone, and we die alone. It's not a good thing or a bad thing. It's just facts that I think as you mature, you tend to accept it, and you're just neutral to it.' Though it may sound a bit pessimistic, Wang is speaking his truth as straightforwardly as possible. He doesn't want to be perceived as a cookie-cutter character, but rather as an honest and genuine person. He reveals, 'You see me on TV, in shows, in concert, on stage, and screen. You don't really know who this guy is. Even the majority of artists don't really know this person. It's important for me, at least, that my community and fans know exactly who I am. For the past two or three years, I've been having that relationship with them, and they're getting more and more open and honest with me as well. I cherish that kind of relationship. At the end of the day, we're all human.' Jackson Wang // MAGICMAN 2 // BUCK TEAM WANG // 88Rising As Wang grows older, he recognizes that his parents are growing older too. He's begun seeing things from their perspective, appreciating the life and support they've given him throughout his career. Having kids changes your life completely. Although Wang is not a father himself, he thought about the sacrifices his parents made to care for him. Nobody is truly ready to be a parent and automatically knows what to do. Wang was appreciative of them and wanted to immortalize them and their love for him in a song named after them, 'Sophie Ricky.' In the track before the song, 'Dear:,' Wang selected recorded messages sent to him by his mother, spoken in Cantonese. The sweet messages were filled with love and support – checking in on her son, making sure he was eating and staying warm, expressing how much she missed him, and offering heartfelt advice to keep going. They've always played a significant role in his life, and this was his ode to them. Wang recalls creating that in his basement while his parents were upstairs watching television. He didn't want them to hear the song until it was released. He had many wonderful messages and conversations with his parents throughout the years that he has kept for the past six to seven years. He selected the most meaningful one that showed him the 'light in the darkness.' 'I've seen whatever they've experienced,' Wang chokes up a bit. 'The more I grew, [the more I realized] that a majority of the things they told me as a kid are happening in my life. Even if it's just something as casual as how they call me, it's different when it comes from your parents. So [whenever] I feel like I'm about to die or faint or give up, [they] were the light that I see, so I documented it.' Wang has been praised by critics and fans for his candor about his life and working in the entertainment industry, where many artists refused to discuss their mental health or the struggles of being an idol. He understands that he's taking a risk by doing so, but he wants to release this album for himself and others who may relate to it beyond his industry. 'Innovation is only innovation when it's successful,' Wang shares. 'So when you say, 'I'm one of the rare artists that talks about that from Asia,' it's because it's not very friendly with business. It doesn't sell a lot. It's a higher risk than talking about candies, right? So I'm happy that I was able to put that together and express it in a way that I did.' Jackson Wang // MAGICMAN 2 TEAM WANG // 88Rising With the Magic Man persona narratively gone – after he unlocked it by accepting himself and moving forward, Wang is ready for his fans to meet a newer version of himself. He calls it 'Jackson Wang 2.0.' He says he isn't scared anymore and to expect this version of him to be loud, and maybe even a dick, in situations where he needs to be. 'Now in my 30s, I have choices,' Wang says. 'I want to do things the way that I want to do it. I want to put out the music that I want to do. I want to create fashion the way that I believe in. That just gave me a lot of freedom. And, at the end of the day, I have the room for making decisions and choices.' Jackson Wang's MAGICMAN 2 is available to stream on all major music platforms.
Pink Villa
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Jackson Wang drops MAGIC MAN 2: Watch GOT7 star ‘take off his past' by stripping down in Made Me a Man music video
Jackson Wang has officially returned with MAGIC MAN 2, his highly anticipated third studio album. The album dropped worldwide on July 18, 2025. Alongside the release, fans were treated to a brand-new music video for the track Made Me a Man. Made Me a Man captures Jackson's emotion through visual metaphors The music video for Made Me a Man showcases a more vulnerable side of Jackson. The soft, introspective track explores themes of emotional growth, self-reflection, and transformation. Visually, the video moves through a dreamlike sequence. Jackson walks through a mist-covered forest, symbolizing confusion and inner turmoil. This shifts to a vibrant field full of flowers, representing clarity and fleeting peace. It is then followed by a dark, ominous nightscape filled with chaos, suggesting a painful but necessary personal journey. In the final moments of the video, Jackson is seen standing fully bare atop a hill, facing forward as the wind brushes against him. The powerful imagery captures a moment of raw vulnerability and rebirth. It symbolises his willingness to shed past burdens and face an uncertain future with nothing to hide. About MAGIC MAN 2 MAGIC MAN 2 is the official sequel to Jackson's 2022 album MAGIC MAN. Initially planned for a 2023 release, the album faced multiple delays, first to 2024 and finally landing in 2025. Despite the wait, the project arrives with a refined vision and more experimental edge. Spanning 11 tracks, the album blends genres and emotions, staying true to Jackson's evolving artistry. The rollout began earlier this year with the release of the lead single High Alone in February, followed by GBAD and its remixes. BUCK, a bold track featuring Indian superstar Diljit Dosanjh, further highlighted Jackson's global vision. In June, he dropped the dramatic music video for Hate to Love, and now caps off the album's pre-release journey with Made Me a Man. Full tracklist for MAGIC MAN 2 High Alone Not For Me Access BUCK (featuring Diljit Dosanjh) GBAD Hate to Love One Time Everything Dear: Sophie Ricky Made Me a Man With MAGIC MAN 2, Jackson Wang delivers not only a strong musical statement but a visual and emotional experience that reflects his growth as both an artist and a storyteller.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jackson Wang lights up ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show'; wins fans with his Bhangra moves and Bollywood vibes
Jackson Wang has taken the Indian subcontinent by storm! After collaborating with Diljit Dosanjh , the idol won hearts when he graced the small screen on 'The Great Indian Kapil Show'. Featuring as a guest on the OTT show alongside names like Jaideep Ahlawat, Vijay Varma , Jitendra Kumar, and Pratik Gandhi, he learn some moves and shared some laughs while he was at it. Wang had briefly been on tour in India to promote his latest single 'BUCK'. During his short and memorable trip, the idol performed his song live, visited Hrithik Roshan 's house for dinner with him and his family, and even starred on the comedy show. During the segment, the star joined the fellow guests in getting in tune with the desi beats and picked up moves of the garba and bhangra. Besides shaking a leg, the idol talked about how he had to come here to meet everyone. The singer even belted out a few lines from his song 'GBAD', leaving everyone in awe of his talent. Jackson Wang is a member of the K-pop group GOT7. Alongside them, the idol has also managed to build a successful solo career for himself in the industry as well, and has worked with global stars like Galantis and Rich Brian, to name a few. Diljit Dosanjh has now also been added to that list.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
K-Pop star Jackson Wang visits India, greets fans with 'namaste'
K-Pop idol, singer, rapper Jackson Wang was spotted at the Mumbai International Airport as he visited India for the promotion of his upcoming music album Magic Man 2. K-Pop idol, singer, rapper Jackson Wang was spotted at the Mumbai International Airport as he visited India for the promotion of his upcoming music album Magic Man 2. As per the visuals, Wang was seen dressed in an all balck outfit which included a trouser complimented with a hoodie and a beanie. He was accompanied by his team and the Mumbai Airport officials. The K-Pop idol greeted his fans with a 'namaste' as he made his way out of the airport. This marked Jackson's second visit to India. The Chinese-born K-pop idol's earlier visited India to perform at one of the world's longest-running music festivals, Lollapalooza, in 2023. Recently, singer-rapper Jackson Wang unveiled his new song titled 'GBAD,' ahead of his upcoming album 'Magic Man 2', which is set to be released later this year. Taking to his Instagram account, the rapper shared the song with fans, along with a caption that read, "Life is a beautiful place, but sometimes... we gotta be a dick. Not to harm, but to set boundaries and protect our own will. GBAD out now!! EVERYWHERE. A lot of the time, we want to satisfy everyone, but we can't. A lot of times, it ends up with people taking advantage of your kindness and using it against you." The song was released on March 28, 2025. Jackson Wang also collaborated with Diljit Dosanjh recentl for the track 'Buck'. It was released on May 29, 2025. According to Billboard, the Magic Man 2 is set to be released in July this year.
India Gazette
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
K-Pop star Jackson Wang visits India, greets fans with 'namaste'
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 10 (ANI): K-Pop idol, singer, rapper Jackson Wang was spotted at the Mumbai International Airport as he visited India for the promotion of his upcoming music album Magic Man 2. As per the visuals, Wang was seen dressed in an all balck outfit which included a trouser complimented with a hoodie and a beanie. He was accompanied by his team and the Mumbai Airport officials. The K-Pop idol greeted his fans with a 'namaste' as he made his way out of the airport. This marked Jackson's second visit to India. The Chinese-born K-pop idol's earlier visited India to perform at one of the world's longest-running music festivals, Lollapalooza, in 2023. Recently, singer-rapper Jackson Wang unveiled his new song titled 'GBAD,' ahead of his upcoming album 'Magic Man 2', which is set to be released later this year. Taking to his Instagram account, the rapper shared the song with fans, along with a caption that read, 'Life is a beautiful place, but sometimes... we gotta be a dick. Not to harm, but to set boundaries and protect our own will. GBAD out now!! EVERYWHERE. A lot of the time, we want to satisfy everyone, but we can't. A lot of times, it ends up with people taking advantage of your kindness and using it against you.'The song was released on March 28, 2025. Jackson Wang also collaborated with Diljit Dosanjh recentl for the track 'Buck'. It was released on May 29, 2025. According to Billboard, the Magic Man 2 is set to be released in July this year. (ANI)
