On March 11, 2025, Jackson Wang, a member of the renowned K-pop group GOT7, candidly discussed his journey in the entertainment industry during an episode of Eric Nam’s Daebak Show. The conversation explored profound topics such as betrayal, mental health, and the isolating effects of fame, offering listeners a glimpse into the personal challenges behind Jackson’s public success.
Although Jackson Wang has achieved considerable acclaim, his path has not been devoid of obstacles. Reflecting on moments of despair, he spoke about a time when he felt ensnared in a repetitive cycle that led to overwhelming feelings of emptiness and loneliness.
During the interview, Jackson expressed feelings of betrayal and emotional turmoil, stating:
“I went through this betrayal. What killed me internally was not the money or anything; it was emotionally. If I lost something physically, I can work my a*s off and earn it back again, try my best to earn it back again. But emotionally, what has been done can’t be undone.”
This discussion mirrored sentiments he shared in a 2022 interview with Eric Nam, where Jackson revealed his struggles with substance consumption and isolation during a particularly difficult period in his life.
In the recent interview, he also opened up about enduring a year-long battle with depression, illustrating his journey to reclaiming his true self. He remarked:
“So, it took me an entire year of depression and all that s*** to get back to who I am now. Everyone has that version of them, you know?”
Exploring the Themes of Jackson Wang’s MAGIC MAN and the HIGH ALONE Music Video
Jackson Wang’s second album, MAGIC MAN, debuted on September 9, 2022. The creation of this album can be traced back to the spring of 2020, a time when he encountered significant personal strife.
Diving deeper into his struggles, Wang described grappling with feelings of disorientation and identity loss, culminating in a mental crisis between 2020 and 2021. These sentiments were echoed in both his 2022 and 2025 interviews.
This tumultuous phase prompted Jackson Wang to make a transformative choice: to abandon his previous persona and seek authenticity. This pivotal moment became the foundation for MAGIC MAN, which delves into complex themes such as temptation, chaos, and psychological turmoil.
The album’s opening track, Blow, is steeped in 90s rock influences, exploring the intoxicating yet perilous nature of forbidden love. Other songs like Cruel, Drive It Like You Stole It, and Champagne Cool critique the entertainment industry, presenting champagne as a metaphor for its often murky reality.
Additionally, Go Ghost tackles the theme of toxic relationships, while Come Alive and Just Like Magic reflect on love’s transformative power and the necessity of self-belief. Tracks like All The Way, Dopamine, and Blue express the longing for true happiness and inner peace.
On February 12, 2025, Jackson Wang released his latest single, HIGH ALONE, accompanied by a powerful music video that visually communicates themes of isolation and the burdens of fame. The video portrays Jackson trapped in a glass box filled with water, symbolizing how artists often feel pressured to perform amidst personal struggles, even when their wellbeing is at stake.
The visuals emphasize that while he fights to survive, spectators and industry stakeholders remain indifferent to his strife, underscoring the relentless demand for entertainment.
Excitingly, Jackson Wang has announced plans to release MAGIC MAN 2 in 2025, which promises to build upon the themes established in his previous work.