12 Facts to Know About K-Pop Star Jackson Wang
In honor of his
In honor of his L'OFFICIEL cover, get to know Chinese-born K-pop idol Jackson Wang with these interesting facts about the former Got7 star.
Jackson Wang first rose to worldwide fame by joining the popular K-pop boy band Got7 in 2014 as the main rapper. Since then, his stardom has only grown, thanks to his impressive vocals, dancing skills, and top-tier style. In 2017, Wang initiated his hip-hop solo career by releasing a series of singles and founding his own label, Team Wang.
Wang has proved time after time that there is much more to him than music. From prominent partnerships with worldwide luxury brands to taking on creative direction of his own fashion line, there is no doubt that the L’OFFICIEL Hommes star has been working non-stop to take the world by storm.
Get to know more about the K-pop sensation with these TK facts.
He made a cameo at Coachella 2024
Just last week, Jackson Wang made a surprise performance during South Korean singer Bibi's set at Coachella 2024's first weekend. Much to their fans' surprise, the two teased their upcoming duet, entitled "Feeling Lucky." A few days later, 88rising, the artists' record label, announced in an Instagram post that the song is set to be released tomorrow, April 26.
He's a Louis Vuitton Brand Ambassador
Earlier last year, luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton appointed Jackson Wang as one of its brand ambassadors. While exciting, the news was pretty unsurprising to loyal fans, given that Wang had undeniably established himself as a fashion icon both on and off the stage. With his effortless blend of streetwear and high fashion, Jackson Wang's sartorial choices have consistently turned heads and set trends. Since then, the K-pop idol has been a front-row fixture at many of the Maison's runway shows and has played a pivotal role in several campaigns, including the "Horizons Never End" campaign.
He's (currently) single.
Good news, certified K-pop fans: the GOT7 rapper currently appears to be single. Though not much is known about Jackson Wang's dating life, as is the case with many K-pop idols, the last time Wang was rumored to be dating anyone was in February 2022, when South Korean singer Yuqi was seen leaving his apartment. However, his management company, RYCE Entertainment, quickly denied dating rumors, stating that the two were simply friends. "It's common and normal for friends to gather at Wang's home," Wang's team noted.
He is a Junior Olympic Fencer
Coming from an athletic family, Wang began pursuing the sport of fencing since he was 10 years old. Training alongside his father, a gold medalist in fencing, Wang Ruji, allowed him to prepare and become a Junior Olympic-level saber fencer at only 16 years old. In 2011, Wang was offered a sports scholarship from Stanford University which he turned down to pursue a musical career as his true passion lied within the stage.
He's a Fashion Designer
In July 2020, Wang launched his brand Team Wang Design, a lifestyle and streetwear apparel line that was three years in the making. Featuring minimalist and sport-inspired pieces, the star's collection goes beyond typical celebrity merch with exclusive drops and specially designed pieces.
He Has a Record-Breaking Single
Wang’s single “100 Ways” became the first song by a K-pop solo artist to rank amongst Mediabases’ U.S. Top 40 chart. The song, co-written by Jackson himself, shows off his infectious pop style. The music video depicts an ancient-Chinese love story as an ode to his love for his home country of China.
He's a TV Host
In addition to his music career, Wang is no stranger to the screen. Like many K-pop idols his career began with appearances on Korean variety shows. In 2015, he also became the host of the Chinese cooking show Go Fridge, and the following year became MC of Fresh Sunday, another Chinese TV show. In total, he's appeared on 18 different TV shows in China and South Korea.
He Loves to Interact with His Fans
Wang is known for defying the traditional norm that forbids K-pop artists from having personal Instagram accounts as he often takes over the platform to directly interact with his 22.5 million followers. He has expressed that he enjoys making Instagram live videos and posts interactive stories to feel closer and more connected with his fans.
He Made a Song with Galantis Without Meeting in Person
He Speaks Four Languages
The Got7 is a polyglot, speaking in Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, English, and a bit of French. His Cantonese comes from his Hong Kong roots, and although he is not a Mandarin native speaker, Wang is fluent in the language as well as in Korean and English.
He Proudly Reps Hong Kong
Although a major star in the K-pop realm, Wang is outspoken about his Hong Kong roots. The number 852 is included in his social media handles and indicates Hong Kong's area code. He also has taken inspiration from classic Hong Kong cinema for his recent music videos, like "Pretty Please" and "LMLY."
He Had a Birthday Party at the Beijing Olympics Sports Center
While his birthday won't be spent in front of a crowd this year, Wang had a massive 25th birthday party in 2019 held at the Beijing Olympics Sports Center with 5,000 guests. He was the ultimate host, putting on a concert for his fans and giving out special Team Wang T-shirts that he designed for the event.
