The genre-denying “magic man,” Jackson Wang, made a splash in Los Angeles this last week during his Kia Forum stop of his ongoing MAGICMAN 2 World Tour. Releasing in July 2025, MAGICMAN II broke down all barriers, bringing forth the most vulnerable and relatable version of Jackson Wang to date, and that vulnerability and realism came to life in full form throughout Jackson’s setlist.
I made my way out to the Kia Forum decently early to take in the community Jackson has created throughout his solo career and throughout his time with K-pop legends GOT7, as I wanted to feel the love Jackys brought to the venue to throw Jackson’s way from door open to door closing. And let me tell you, these fans brought the heat, they brought the love, and they were well prepared for the incredible, mind-altering performance Jackson had in store for everyone.
However, when it came to the night’s venue crew, this had to have been the most disjointed I’ve seen from the many concerts I have attended at the Kia Forum throughout the last few years. Everyone from security to the ushers had a bit of “deer in the headlights” going on. But, nothing too harsh, thankfully, everyone was still as helpful as they could be. Also, be forewarned, DO NOT bring your lightsticks to any of the remaining stops of the MAGICMAN 2 World Tour, as they will not be allowed in. Save the hassle and arguments for something else. Also, come early if you’re looking to pick up any merch, as, at least for this specific date, everything sold out within a matter of minutes.
Time continued to slip by quite quickly as VIP attendees began to make their way into the venue for their soundcheck with Jackson, which sounded amazing from the outside as the venue shook from the muffled bass lines and drum kicks. I spent the remainder of the time making some new friends in the form of Daniel and Erica, who helped kill time as we bonded over a variety of topics. I also got to hang out once again with one of the nicest people I’ve met, Michelle, and her merry band of misfits, as we all came out to show our support for our very own “magic man.”
It didn’t take long for doors to open, and I found my way to my seat as I continued to hear stories about Jackson and what his music and overall personality meant to so many. It was this pre-show bond with his fans that made me even more excited than I already was, because I knew I was in for an amazing experience that no live stream or YouTube concert video could ever properly showcase, compared to witnessing it for myself. So, I buckled myself in and let my mind be completely open to encapsulate myself in the complete Jacksong Wang experience.
Lighting across the venue would go dark as videos began to play, bringing the atmosphere of the Kia Forum in line with MAGICMAN II, and the first notes of “High Alone” would begin to travel across the screaming fans like electricity, bringing the venue to life. In just moments, Jackson would be in the air, high above the audience, while dancers on the ground floor began to play their parts perfectly, creating a time capsule of moves and larger-than-life arrangement before Jackson would bring himself back down to reality, and the real party would begin with a fiery performance of “Access.”
Letting his emotions be felt, Jackson would express his love for his fans with an emotional bellow, translating like a warm hug as Jackson explained how long he had been waiting for this night, for this moment. A trend that would continue throughout the night, as Jackson never once faltered in letting the sea of tears and smiles know how much he loved every one of them, and just how excited and happy he was.
Emotions would continue to flare as “Hate to Love” would echo throughout the legendary halls of the Kia Forum as we all continued to lose ourselves in each note escaping through Jackson’s vocal delivery. Within the first few songs, I could confidently say I had only experienced one other performer who commanded the stage with such raw passion and immense love the same way Jackson Wang showcased that night.
The show would take a turn on the spicy train as Jackson would invite a variety of fans on stage, starting with one woman, before bringing on a group of women onto the stage, where Jackson and his dancers would give them all a unique, one-of-a-kind performance as hip thrusts sent fans into another realm, and sweat would fill the air as hooting and hollering would ring across each concert goer with a few near me expressing how jealous they were.
Creating a unique memory like this is exactly what sets Jackson aside from so many; he’s very much a performer that gives his all for his fans and feels the need to send them home with long-lasting memories wheather the same experience as those fans up on stage or those of us watching with fawning eyes from the stands. It’s this connection that had me cheering loud and proud for the spice session happening front and center.
Yet another ment would break down barriers as the darkness began to loom as Jackson’s mental playground would quickly shift from the hyped up, party bro to a broken shell looking for purpose as he would throw himself into yet another emotional performance, this time bringing the loneliness of “Not For Me” and “Blue” to life before shifting even further down the rabbithole with “Everything.”
Just like the spice session, this set of emotional performances and those not named during this part of the set highlighted a side of Jackson Wang that can only be experienced in a live show setting, as these songs would bring pure magic to life as dancers would surround Jackson in the air as he walked himself down his own boulevard of broken dreams before re-finding his true center, his happy place in a long hallway of dark lies and forgotten memories.
The way Jackson brings the emotional themes of his songs to life perfectly in this setting is truly something to marvel at. Even down to the mix of “Long Gone” and “Dopamine,” which had Jackson “borrowing” the light of the crowd, was pure cinema come to life, as every person in that audience gave everything they had to make Jackson’s dream a reality.
The night would continue to come to life in a variety of ways as Jackson’s phenomenal backing band would begin to freestyle, getting the chance to showcase their unique musicianship and just why Jackson had this group of talented guys to perform alongside. On a bit of a side note, I thought it was amazing that both the backing band and Jackson’s out-of-this-world dancers, for the most part, sported the same eye makeup that Jackson would be evolving throughout the night’s performance.
Speaking of the amazing dance group accompanying him on this tour, they, too, would get their own unique chance to shine, with a twist, of course! Throughout the group’s dance breakdown, it would quickly be revealed that Jackson himself had been a part of the dance performance as well, as screams and cheers would erupt once again as Jackson continued to showcase his own strengths in performing and further highlight everyone else on that stage. This is no one-man army, and Jackson will share that fact in every which way possible.
The night would continue to feature a variety of different theming dynamics as Jackson would bring to life “BUCK,” “Let Loose,” and “TITANIC” before jumping right into one of my favorite mantra-loving experiences! You know I’m talking about “GBAD.”
I became absolutely obsessed with this song when it was released during MAGICMAN II’s release cycle, and I knew I had to give it my all during this specific portion of Jackson’s performance, and at least those around me didn’t let me down as I saw fans vibing, singing, and letting themselves be lost in the introspective melodies and vibe shifts of the track’s overall meaning. To say my own manufactured hype was lived upon would be an understatement.
Jackson would of course hit another emotional heartstring as he paid tribute to his family, his life, and everything in between as the final ment of the show would display a variety of family moments before settling on a photo of himself as a child and his parents before Jackson himself would rise once more from the bottom of the stage as he longingly gazed at this childhood moment holding back his own emotions and tears before jumping headfirst into “Dear:” and “Sophie Ricky,” injecting a heavy weight of love and affection into the atmosphere.
Sticking to his humble personality, Jackson would of course once again express his love and appreciation for everyone in attendance, stating, “At some point in my life, you guys gave me a shot,” as well as expressing that he is happy, and the previous exploration of the deep corners of his mind was indeed over. It’s these humble glimpses at the person Jackson Wang decided to grow into, the path he decided to venture on, the choices that have kept him human, that really have me praising him so much. It’s easy to fall into an idolized personality, but Jackson decided to grow against the mold, and the person he has become is unique to himself as an artist.
Jackson would unfortunately signal the night’s performative portion of the night finished with a powerful performance of “Made Me a Man,” bringing tears and cheers once more front and center as he once more gave his all for this final song of the night.
Breaking the mold with his encore, Jackson went against the norms of coming out once more with another onslaught of songs and instead decided to spend the show’s last few moments creating a celebration filled with dancing, fan admiration, and cementing the night as more of a giant family get-together versus your standard concert performance. The most energy of the night came from these final few moments as memories were further created, joy was shared, and we all left a little more put together than we were at the start.
My experience with Jackson Wang and his MAGICMAN 2 World Tour was filled with excitement, laughter, tears, a rekindled fire to be the best version of myself, and a longing to get lost in the intricate world and emotions Jackson created for the space between his lyrics. I loved every moment of the short time I had with Jackson and fellow Jackys, and I’m already excited for the next time I might experience a moment like this, whether it be another solo Jackson Wang performance or featuring his brothers in GOT7. I know I’ll be there regardless.
The MAGICMAN 2 World Tour is more than just a concert performance; it’s a star-dazzling experience that will cleanse the deep corners of the mind, allowing for inner exploration in hopes of guiding those within the experience a few hours of pure happiness amongst the backdrop we call reality. So, if you get a chance to attend any upcoming date, do yourself a favor and go have an evening with Jackson Wang and let yourself lose control, even if it’s just for a moment.
Also, if you would like to check out even more of our photos from Jackson Wang’s Kia Forum stop of the MAGICMAN 2 World Tour, you can check out our Instagram post dedicated specifically to the show.
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