"Sometimes… we have to be dicks. Not to hurt, but to set boundaries and protect our own will,” Jackson Wang says. With a touch of sarcasm, the GOT7 star embraces the fact that setting boundaries can make us look like villains in the eyes of others. His latest song showcases Jackson’s ditching of people-pleasing habits, with a poignant reflection on the price one has to pay for personal growth.
An uncompromising alt-R&B track, 'GBAD' features Jackson’s signature vocals paired with a laid-back, jazzy production from Grammy-winning producer Dem Jointz. The music video, directed by Rich Lee, finds Magic Man’s alter ego in an idyllic town where he is constantly called upon to save the day. The surreal, darkly comedic video depicts Magic Man’s existential crisis, feeling neglected and unappreciated, and is a reflection of Jackson’s own personal experiences.
Last month, Jackson announced that his follow-up album Magic Man 2 would be released in 2025, along with the introduction of his single 'High Alone', which explores themes of isolation and self-destruction. The song serves as a prelude to the deeper themes of his upcoming album. As a sequel, the album will continue the evolution of the Magic Man persona, first introduced on his Billboard-charting 2022 album. Since its release, 'High Alone' has reached #1 on Apple Music in 22 countries and territories.
The project is self-produced by Jackson and has been in the works for over a year. Magic Man 2 will be divided into four acts, each representing the stages of grief: from the euphoric high of denial, to the painful reckoning with a lost identity, to letting go of people-pleasing tendencies, and finally finding peace in acceptance.
Magic Man was initially a mask—Jackson’s way of processing his darkest emotions and inner struggles. But with Magic Man 2, the mask begins to come off, revealing deeper truths about Jackson's inner world, his struggles with betrayal, and his attempts to stay true to himself.
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