Latest news with #MagicMan
Forbes
28-07-2025
- 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.
India Today
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Magic Man 2 review: Jackson Wang's alchemy of the self
If 'Magic Man' (2022) was Jackson Wang exposing the cracks of his soul, then 'Magic Man 2' (2025) is someone who rises from it. Someone more tempered, wiser, and achingly human. The Hong Kong-born artist, known for being a genre disruptor, brings us an 11-track confessional that's less concerned with pop perfection and more invested in emotional truth. With his unique blend of artistic vision and fearlessness, Jackson crafts a body of work that is equal parts whisper and war album is framed around four internal phases: manic highs, losing control, realisation, and acceptance. 'Magic Man 2' seems like a natural successor to 'Magic Man', as these phases unfold organically, from the production choices to Jackson's vocal opening track 'High Alone' sets the tone with moody synths and cavernous reverb. Euphoric yet empty, it captures the isolation that creeps in at the top with the music video capturing the show in a way that is aesthetically heartbreaking. 'Not For Me' follows with a mid-tempo pulse and lyrical disillusionment, as Jackson reflects, 'Who should I be?', peeling back the layers of self-image crafted under fame. 'Access' throws us back into club-mode swagger with a hypnotic electro-pop beat, but it feels more like armor than indulgence, a reminder that not all confidence is genuine. 'BUCK,' his collaboration with Diljit Dosanjh, marks a shift in energy. It's fierce, pulsing with desi flair and East-meets-West bravado. From there, the energy blurs into a haze on 'GBAD,' where live instrumentation and synth overlays melt into a meditation on moral ambiguity. The groove is dark, the emotion ambiguous, perfect for midnight introspection about setting boundaries and why being 'bad' may not be 'BAD' thing.'Hate to Love' sees Jackson stuck in a toxic loop, battling attachment with guitar and synth textures echoing the emotional push and pull. By track seven, the emotional walls begin to collapse and he slowly progresses towards realisation. 'One Time' is one of the most lyrically devastating cuts: 'The people I loved... it was all lies.' There's no metaphor, just Jackson, bare and betrayed.'Everything' and 'Dear': plunge even deeper. The former aches with loneliness, while the latter sees him calling out to his parents in a near-whispered plea: 'Don't let me drown'. It's a haunting moment of childlike vulnerability. In 'Sophie Ricky', named after his parents, Jackson reflects on legacy, sacrifice, and pressure with rhythmic cadence. 'Could I put aside all my vices?' he asks, caught between gratitude and album closes with 'Made Me a Man', a heartfelt acoustic number that doesn't aim to resolve the pain, but to honour the person who helped him find peace through it. 'You were the light when I was lost in the dark', he sings, voice raw but calm. It's the kind of finale that speaks of acceptance rather than Jackson Wang's evolution is striking. There's no performative sadness or over-saturated metaphor here. Lines like 'I learned how to run before I could walk / They silenced my voice before I could talk' (from 'Made Me a Man') and 'This shit could get lonely' (from 'Everything') hit not because they're clever, but because they're true. There's maturity in his 'Magic Man 2', Jackson Wang doesn't reinvent himself, he reveals himself. This album isn't chasing radio hits or viral hooks. It's an emotional map from chaos to clarity, from rage to reflection. In a music industry obsessed with curated vulnerability, Jackson offers us something far rarer: honesty without agenda. This is the work of a man who has lived, lost, and decided to tell the story in his own voice, on his own terms.'Magic Man 2' is messy. It's brave. And ultimately, it's magic.- Ends
Economic Times
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
K-pop star Jackson Wang makes a confession about his love life to Rhea Chakraborty. She feels sorry for him
Synopsis Jackson Wang, the K-pop star, revealed on Rhea Chakraborty's podcast that he is currently single and not actively seeking a relationship, prioritizing his career and travel commitments. He expressed openness to dating in the future, particularly after turning 35, but emphasized the need for dedication in a committed relationship. 'Magic Man' says he has been single for more than 2 years K-pop heartthrob Jackson Wang set the record straight about his love life. In a candid chat with Rhea Chakraborty on her podcast 'Chapter Two', the singing sensation confessed he was not in the mood for love right now. Rhea asked Jackson about his love life, to which the 'Magic Man' hitmaker primly replied he was very much single and not looking to date. He confessed that he had been single for more than two years. Although he maintained that he would not shirk if he somehow found a special someone, love is not his priority right now. However, he added that he would be 'aggressively' pursuing love once he turns 35. Jackson admitted that he is not in the mental space to give the responsibility and dedication a committed relationship demands currently. 'Relationships cannot be sustained if they are one-sided. I don't have the time, since I am always travelling for work,' he told Chakraborty. When quizzed if he is lonely, Jackson said that loneliness is not inevitable for anyone who's single. 'You can be lonely even if you have a significant other,' he explained. When asked if he was familiar with the hookup scene and situationship culture that was becoming prevalent with Gen Z, the GOT7 member explained he was not cognizant of these concepts. 'Let me go back home and explain that to my parents!' he said jokingly. He said, 'There's no such thing in China.' On a more serious note, the 'Papillon' hitmaker hinted that he had tried his hand at casual dating, but it hadn't worked out. He had met a lot of new people and made friends, but it never progressed. Rhea looked bemused and sympathetic and joked, 'I feel sorry for you, Jackson!'Rhea mentioned his fan following in India and asked him if he would date any Indian women, to which the singer responded, 'I am open to any Indian 'ship'!'Wang recently appeared in an episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show, where he was asked about his camaraderie with Bollywood actress Disha Patani. The singer clarified that they were just friends. Rumours about a possible romance spread like wildfire in 2023, when a video of the 'Ek Villain 2' star taking Jackson out on a joyride on the streets of Mumbai went viral. Wang had visited India to perform at the Lollapalooza. Jackson Wang, originally from Hong Kong, has made a name for himself as a dynamic artist, known for his skills as a rapper, singer, and songwriter. Before stepping into the limelight of the music industry, he was deeply involved in the world of sports, excelling as a professional fencer. His athletic background eventually gave way to a musical career when he became part of the South Korean K-pop group Got7, which debuted in 2014 under the banner of JYP 2017, Wang took a major leap forward by establishing his own record label in China, Team Wang. Beyond music production, he also took on the responsibilities of artistic head and chief designer for the label's fashion wing, Team Wang Design, demonstrating his passion for creative innovation and launched his solo music career with the release of his debut album, Mirrors, in 2019. The album garnered significant attention, climbing to the 32nd spot on the US Billboard 200 chart. Building on this success, he followed up with his second studio album, Magic Man, in 2022, which achieved even greater acclaim by reaching number 15 on the same year 2021 marked another turning point in Wang's professional path as he parted ways with JYP Entertainment. Soon after, he formed a new Chinese hip-hop collective known as Panthepack, which operates under the umbrella of Team Wang, reflecting his ongoing commitment to both music and cultural rising influence in the entertainment world has not gone unnoticed. In 2020, he earned the 41st position on Forbes China Celebrity 100, and by the next year, he had surged to the 10th spot. His online popularity also speaks volumes—by September 2024, he had amassed over 32.8 million followers on Instagram, making him the most-followed Chinese celebrity on the platform. His reach extends across various digital landscapes, with substantial audiences on platforms like YouTube and Spotify, further reinforcing his global presence and his multifaceted talent and strategic ventures, Jackson Wang continues to build a legacy that spans continents, industries, and cultures.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
K-pop star Jackson Wang makes a confession about his love life to Rhea Chakraborty. She feels sorry for him
K-pop heartthrob Jackson Wang set the record straight about his love life. In a candid chat with Rhea Chakraborty on her podcast 'Chapter Two', the singing sensation confessed he was not in the mood for love right now. Rhea asked Jackson about his love life, to which the 'Magic Man' hitmaker primly replied he was very much single and not looking to date. He confessed that he had been single for more than two years. Although he maintained that he would not shirk if he somehow found a special someone, love is not his priority right now. However, he added that he would be 'aggressively' pursuing love once he turns 35. Jackson admitted that he is not in the mental space to give the responsibility and dedication a committed relationship demands currently. 'Relationships cannot be sustained if they are one-sided. I don't have the time, since I am always travelling for work,' he told Chakraborty. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo When quizzed if he is lonely, Jackson said that loneliness is not inevitable for anyone who's single. 'You can be lonely even if you have a significant other,' he explained. On Situationships When asked if he was familiar with the hookup scene and situationship culture that was becoming prevalent with Gen Z, the GOT7 member explained he was not cognizant of these concepts. 'Let me go back home and explain that to my parents!' he said jokingly. He said, 'There's no such thing in China.' On a more serious note, the 'Papillon' hitmaker hinted that he had tried his hand at casual dating, but it hadn't worked out. He had met a lot of new people and made friends, but it never progressed. Rhea looked bemused and sympathetic and joked, 'I feel sorry for you, Jackson!' On Inter-Cultural Dating Rhea mentioned his fan following in India and asked him if he would date any Indian women, to which the singer responded, 'I am open to any Indian 'ship'!' Wang recently appeared in an episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show, where he was asked about his camaraderie with Bollywood actress Disha Patani. The singer clarified that they were just friends. Rumours about a possible romance spread like wildfire in 2023, when a video of the 'Ek Villain 2' star taking Jackson out on a joyride on the streets of Mumbai went viral. Wang had visited India to perform at the Lollapalooza. Who Is Jackson Wang? Jackson Wang, originally from Hong Kong, has made a name for himself as a dynamic artist, known for his skills as a rapper, singer, and songwriter. Before stepping into the limelight of the music industry, he was deeply involved in the world of sports, excelling as a professional fencer. His athletic background eventually gave way to a musical career when he became part of the South Korean K-pop group Got7, which debuted in 2014 under the banner of JYP Entertainment. In 2017, Wang took a major leap forward by establishing his own record label in China, Team Wang. Beyond music production, he also took on the responsibilities of artistic head and chief designer for the label's fashion wing, Team Wang Design, demonstrating his passion for creative innovation and style. Wang launched his solo music career with the release of his debut album, Mirrors, in 2019. The album garnered significant attention, climbing to the 32nd spot on the US Billboard 200 chart. Building on this success, he followed up with his second studio album, Magic Man, in 2022, which achieved even greater acclaim by reaching number 15 on the same chart. The year 2021 marked another turning point in Wang's professional path as he parted ways with JYP Entertainment. Soon after, he formed a new Chinese hip-hop collective known as Panthepack, which operates under the umbrella of Team Wang, reflecting his ongoing commitment to both music and cultural expression. Wang's rising influence in the entertainment world has not gone unnoticed. In 2020, he earned the 41st position on Forbes China Celebrity 100, and by the next year, he had surged to the 10th spot. His online popularity also speaks volumes—by September 2024, he had amassed over 32.8 million followers on Instagram, making him the most-followed Chinese celebrity on the platform. His reach extends across various digital landscapes, with substantial audiences on platforms like YouTube and Spotify, further reinforcing his global presence and appeal. Through his multifaceted talent and strategic ventures, Jackson Wang continues to build a legacy that spans continents, industries, and cultures.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Jackson Wang gets cosy with Hrithik Roshan and family on India visit; reveals details about Krrish 4 cameo
Global pop star Jackson Wang landed in India on June 10, sending waves of excitement through his massive fanbase across the country. While it was already thrilling enough that the Magic Man singer was here to promote his upcoming album Magic Man 2, Wang had something even more electrifying in store. In newly released photos that have taken the internet by storm, Jackson Wang is seen alongside none other than Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan. The image was shared by veteran filmmaker Rakesh Roshan on Instagram, where Jackson and Hrithik appear smiling side by side in what looks like a friendly, low-key yet very significant meetup. Rakesh captioned the photo warmly: 'Jackson welcome & God bless!' A post shared by Rakesh Roshan (@rakesh_roshan9) Post the meeting, Wang confessed in a new interview that he might just make a much-awaited cameo in upcoming thriller Krrish 4. When asked if fans would see him grooving to some Bollywood music with Hrithik, he said cheekily, 'I don't know. I think maybe I'll be able to participate in the soundtrack. Or maybe, I've never acted before, so maybe this will be my first time acting. Maybe I appear and in the movie you see me and I come out and I die right away. Maybe…we'll have that conversation tonight.' Maybe we should take his words with a pinch of salt. This isn't Wang's first trip to India or the first time he's met Hrithik. In 2023, he wowed Indian audiences with a high-energy performance at Lollapalooza India, one of the world's longest-running and most iconic music festivals; he also met the Bollywood superstar on the same visit. Furthermore, in May this year, Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh revealed a music collaboration with Wang — teasing their upcoming track titled Buck, which shows Wang's deep ties with the Indian entertainemnt industry. Meanwhile Hrithik is gearing up for his next big-screen appearance in War 2, where he will star alongside cinema powerhouse Jr NTR.
