In his first-ever solo concert in Manila, Jackson Wang bared his soul through Magicman 2, a reflection of pain turned purpose, and chaos turned calm.
Debuting in 2014 as GOT7’s mischievous rapper, Jackson Wang has always captivated fans with his effortless swag and genuine heart. More than a decade later, Ahgases and Jackys found themselves witnessing a moment they once only dreamed of — Jackson standing alone inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum on November 2, 2025. No GOT7 members beside him, no shared spotlight. Just Jackson Wang. The storyteller.
Jackson Wang Magicman 2 in Manila Concert Highlights
From the moment the lights dimmed and his silhouette hovered midair, opening with “High Alone,” I knew this wasn’t just another weekend concert. This is something personal.
Particularly, Magicman 2 in Manila wasn’t built for spectacle alone; it was Jackson Wang’s mirror. This is his inner world, the part of himself he once kept hidden. It is the storm of emotions he spent years avoiding. The ache beneath the confidence, the pain beneath the performance. It is his wound, his reckoning, his resurrection.
As he dangled above the stage, reaching toward dancers below, it felt like watching a man fighting his way out of his own shadows—poetic, powerful, and purely human.
Soon after, “Access” hit, and the arena exploded into flames of sound and color. Jackson took full command of the stage: his voice thundered, his choreography struck like lightning, and every flick of his wrist carried a decade’s worth of passion and pain. Following that, when he launched into “Shadows on the Wall” and “Contact,” the air grew thick with heat.
Furthermore, Jackson pulled a few lucky fans onstage, turning the moment into something almost cinematic. Meanwhile, the rest watched in awe, and, admittedly, a little envy, wishing he had reached for their hands under the spotlight.
No masks, no walls
But what makes Magicman 2 in Manila so magnetic is the genuineness in it. After the fire came stillness. The stage melted into cool blues, mist swirling like memory as he sang “Not For Me,” “Blue,” and “Everything.” For the first time that night, his voice trembled, stripped of bravado, full of quiet ache. In those moments, the thousands inside Araneta became one voice, softly singing along. And I see fans tearing up, realizing how much they’ve all grown with him.
Then, just as the calm settled, he flipped the switch again. Jackson reemerged in a black hoodie, eyes blazing, for his next set. The bass shook the floor (and everyone’s hearts). He grinned, drenched in sweat, urging the crowd to shout, “Just gotta be a d*ck sometimes!” The fans gave him the same wild, fearless energy he’s always given.
Hearts cracked open by a man brave enough to admit he’s still figuring it out
Midway through, the mood shifted again. The giant LED screens flickered to life, revealing a confessional video. It was Jackson speaking to fans, not as an idol, but as a man who’s been lost and found. “Find your magic,” he said softly. “But the truth is, I’ve never found mine.” And for a moment, the entire arena went silent. His words lingered in the air. It was a punch. Heavy and honest.
Feeling not okay is okay. Why do we have to feel okay all the time?
Spotlight on him, with the photo of his parents onscreen, Jackson performed “Sophie Ricky.” The crowd fell into a reverent hush. A decade of fame and chaos, and here he was, reminding us that underneath it all, he’s still someone’s son, still searching for balance between being the artist and the person.
“Manila is f*cking crazy!”
And then came the euphoric last minutes of the show. The Big Dome transformed into a pulsing club. Jackson sprinted across the stage, climbed the tech booth, splashed water into the crowd, and turned every section into a dance floor. He even spotted a group of fans forming a mosh pit, dancing and spinning in excitement, and laughed that he wanted to jump in himself.
Before he took his final bow, Jackson scanned the sea of lights and said:
Don’t be so harsh to yourself. Be happy. Find your own standard of happiness. Life can suck sometimes, but that’s what makes it beautiful.
Furthermore, “Made Me a Man,” his last song, brought it all full circle. As the lights came up and the crowd spilled out into the warm Quezon City night, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted. Maybe that’s what Jackson meant by magic. It wasn’t the flames, the visuals, or even the voice. It was the courage to be seen as you are, flaws and all.
He gave us his world that night. And somehow, we all walked away carrying a piece of it. Glowing, unguarded, and just a little more alive.
Meanwhile, Jackson Wang’s next stop on the tour is set for November 6, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. Additional tour dates will be announced soon.
Special thanks to iMe Philippines for the media invitation to cover the Jackson Wang MAGICMAN 2 in Manila.
Photos: Team Wang
