Jackson Wang Just Wants To Entertain You

HUMPING ON STAGE!!!!!

Quietly, I’ve been going through an existential crisis because of a piece of tea I received. I will talk about this later, but in the meantime, it’s important to know that this radicalized me and has made me — at least temporarily —anti-idol experience. 

This question I’ve been toying with in my mind is this: how can I enjoy idols without the idol experience? I want idols to be like celebrities. I don’t want them to be a constant escape, a fantasy, or some go-to intimacy. I don’t want to feel, I just want to watch. I want to pull them out of their approachable candy wrappers and see them as they really are — rich, hot people I don’t know and don’t know me. 

No, I’m not gonna tell you about the tea. 

Anyway, I saw this TikTok featuring Jackson Wang. Watch it and get back to me. 

Back in the early 2000’s R&B musicians like Usher or B2K would pull audience members on the stage and do what was essentially a magic mike Chippendales performance. The experience of watching one is a mixture of awe, horniness, embarrassment and oh my god. 

It’s pure sexual performance, the impersonal lustful experience that feels empowering to witness in a way. Look at that. He’s entertaining ME. HE’S HUMPING THE STAGE FOR ALL OF US. It’s a journey into high fantasy that FEELS fake but in a good way. It’s not supposed to feel real. It’s a show.

Jackson’s expression of freedom — the sweaty, humping spectacle in front of Thailand feels old school in the same way. And it’s refreshing to watch. It’s part sweaty 90’s and early 2000’s sex show with a mixture of Prince and a little Michael Jackson. Superstar shit.

You never actually thought you could have Usher or Ginuwine. I mean, look at them. It’s too much. Everyone knows it. You can’t be in that orgy, you can only watch. 

I keep thinking about the one clip of everyone reaching for Jackson’s chest, while he relishes in it. He’s sacrificing himself wholly and completely to the lust of the crowd. It’s a lot to unpack — especially considering just standing next to some idols is enough to get you doxxed, let alone touch one. But here he is, chest out and for the taking. Don’t worry, there’s plenty for everyone. 

But this is how Jackson has ALWAYS been. While idols reach for approachability and a intimacy, Jackson doesn’t seem to have a ton of energy for that. He’s a business. A revolution. He’s always trying to be and do bigger. He talks with a lot of humbleness but also…he’s Jackson Wang.

Jackson is always trying to entertain you. He’s a businessman. He knows his target market. In that way, it feels like less responsibility to watch him and less work. You aren’t analyzing, unpacking, or caring so deeply it hurts. He doesn’t want you to do that. 

He just wants you to have a good time. It’s the brand. Jackson Wang is the perpetual party host. He hosts the orgies. He takes the first shot. He starts the dance floor. If you aren’t having a good time, what is the point? 

In interviews, he’s almost self-sacrificial in his devotion to the bit and his commitment to creating wonderful moments. He’ll do whatever he’s asked and without self-consciousness. He’s always in service of what’s going to entertain everyone. As a member of GOT7, he blends in perfectly, always meeting the energy of whatever member he’s with. 

Even in the way he shares his struggles, it’s matter-of-fact. On Eric Nam’s podcast, he talked candidly about his struggles with mental health. It was so frank and honest that you don’t feel burdened by it. There’s something about the honesty and openness- kind of like the way we read profiles of celebrities. You don’t feel responsible for him.  It’s something he’s going through.

Maybe it’s him not hiding the strings. #teamwang is how he presents himself. It’s clear that he’s him, but it’s not just him. Team Wang wants you to dance and to enjoy. 

I always describe the immersive and all-consuming experience of k-pop, like being at the strip club all day. Dry mouthed and overstimulated. You lose track of your time. Pleasure blurs into pain, blurs into numbness and sadness and yearning and then pleasure again.

Jackson Wang is like going to the club getting the best lap dance of your life and then going home and falling asleep with your dog. You had a good time, but you’re happy to be home. Jackson Wang is a break but not a disruptive one and maybe that’s how it should be.

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