| More often than not we have no idea of the true capabilities of the artists we see. This is especially true in terms of the k-pop industry - limited by the image set by their company and group, limited by the contract they have signed. As any huge entertainment industry, the Korean one has fierce competition. Just a year ago Jackson Wang from the group GOT7 was seen almost like the clown among the k-pop fans. Always smiling and joking, absolutely loud and wild, exaggerated to such extent that we lose track of who he really is. As they used to call him - perfect for reality TV. Almost sensationally charming, so much it's suspicious. Nobody is happy 24/7. To go along with that - his schedule seemed to always be full of appearances both in Hong Kong and Korea. How does anyone work that much all the time? |  |
Last year Jackson Wang was forced to take a whole month off because of illness. His schedule was completely cleared without much information how bad the situation was but knowing the k-pop world for an artist to be off duty for an entire month - it must have been bad. Now I must put a tiny disclaimer that I used to not like him before that. At all. I wasn't prepared for the drastic change when he finally came back. He wasn't constantly smiling. He seemed more quiet and calm. I remember thinking that he finally is real and honest and immediately liking him more and more. Was it the illness or something else that made him completely change the way he presented himself - I do not know. We are allowed to witness Wáng Jiāěr's (his birth name) metamorphosis through his solo singles - "Papillon" and "Okay". He is behind the lyrics and arrangement with the help of BOYTOY. Listening to him in his native Chinese brings out a new Jackson that we have yet to see bloom - honest, fierce and free.
In the MV for his song OKAY the opposing elements of fire and water intertwine constantly. Just like anger and sadness.
In his interview for Jing Talk Show, the musician reveals the hardships his family has faced in the past as well as the hardship he faces now as a complete artist. While he talks and smiles ever so subtly I can't shake off the feeling that he is completely honest. His urge to create music out of the k-pop box that has the main audience of young adult girls shines through. Okay and Papillon are connected almost by a plot line in this order. In Okay we see the backstory, the roots to all of his nuanced emotions. In the video for the song, we witness strong symbolism and elements that connect with the video for Papillon. Jackson reveals that both MVs are made with thought and everything in them (especially in Okay) can be food for interpretation.
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Both songs I loved immediately. They are just so true to him as an artist and a creator. Music that is made with love and a need - as if it just needed to be sang. The moods in the two songs are completely different and both of them as a whole is absolutely tremendously different than his Wang Puppy alter ego from the past. Jackson Wang used to be just a funny guy. Now, he is a brilliant artist which I come back to not to get a laugh but to get good music.
I told myself that I'll be okay - is a dominant line throughout Okay. Makes me wonder how often all of us need to repeat it to ourselves just so we don't fall apart. Makes me wonder how often he said it to himself? So much, it needed to be sang to the world.
The official Instagram of Jackson Wang
The songs by Jackson Wang in iTunes
Статията на български може да намерите тук.
I told myself that I'll be okay - is a dominant line throughout Okay. Makes me wonder how often all of us need to repeat it to ourselves just so we don't fall apart. Makes me wonder how often he said it to himself? So much, it needed to be sang to the world.
The official Instagram of Jackson Wang
The songs by Jackson Wang in iTunes
Статията на български може да намерите тук.
All they care about is profit Nah they don’t see me
Author: Lilia Bozhinova
