Brief Summary
This BeerBiceps podcast features Jackson Wang, the K-pop star, in a candid conversation covering his career, personal life, and views on the entertainment industry. They discuss the challenges of maintaining mental health as an artist, the importance of self-discipline, and Jackson's upcoming projects, including his AI venture. The conversation also touches on cultural differences, Indian spirituality, and Jackson's openness to new experiences, including finding love in India.
- Jackson Wang shares insights on K-pop, his career, and personal life.
- He emphasizes the importance of mental health, self-discipline, and staying grounded.
- The discussion includes future projects, cultural experiences, and views on relationships.
Mumbai Welcome and First Impressions
The podcast begins with a welcome to Jackson Wang, who is visiting Mumbai. They discuss the weather and the new bridge that cuts travel time. Jackson shares his initial experiences in India, mentioning a fun night out with parties and cricket, but also a lot of interviews. He expresses his desire to explore Mumbai nightlife and appreciates the mangroves for their environmental protection. Jackson admits he hasn't interacted much with Indian people yet but finds them a little shy.
Building a Home and Feeling Comfortable
Jackson admires the podcast host's soundproof house, designed to make guests feel comfortable. He recounts his first day in India, going to three parties, trying local food, and playing cricket. Despite enjoying the initial experience, he's spent the following days doing interviews and looks forward to exploring Mumbai's nightlife. Jackson is surprised by the love he receives in India, feeling like a "free man" as he walks around unrecognized.
Current Life and Future Aspirations
Jackson is currently focused on his upcoming album, "Magic Man 2," and hopes to kick off a world tour, including performing in India. He's fully dedicated to his work, feeling it's his "golden time" to build his stamina and energy. They discuss the changes after turning 30, including slower recovery and the desire for family. Jackson acknowledges the biological urge to settle down and the importance of taking care of one's body.
Food Preferences and Dietary Discipline
Jackson reveals his love for chicken in any form, while the host mentions his vegetarianism and preference for paneer. They discuss butter chicken and the regional variations in India. Jackson's ultimate meal would be unlimited fried chicken wings. He emphasizes the importance of dietary discipline after 30 to maintain his appearance and health, including skincare and treatments.
Explaining K-Pop and its Growth
Jackson explains K-pop in three sentences: it stands for Korean pop (or any region's pop), artists engage deeply with their audience, and it involves dancing, singing, and rapping. He adds that K-pop artists want to make their own music and color. He attributes K-pop's global growth to the strong relationship between artists and fans, and believes the next wave of influence will come from Asia.
Challenges in the Industry and Mental Health
Jackson admits the industry is challenging, especially with age, requiring extra effort to maintain stamina and performance. He reflects on debuting at 19, missing out on his youth, and the mental toll of constantly outputting content. He describes his journey to becoming more neutral and stoic after experiencing both the good and bad sides of the industry. He shares how he missed out on his youth due to entering the industry so young.
Reflections and Meeting Indian Icons
Jackson took a year off to reflect on his experiences and started writing diaries, turning his emotions into music. He recalls meeting Hrithik Roshan and his family, describing them as "sundai" (beautiful). The host attempts to teach Jackson a romantic Hindi dialogue from Shah Rukh Khan, which he delivers humorously.
Bollywood Dreams and Romantic Interests
Jackson jokes about wanting to be in Bollywood films, even if it's just a brief appearance. He expresses a preference for action roles over romantic comedies, though the host believes he exudes a "love kind of energy." They discuss the idea of letting love find you and Jackson's current focus on his career rather than relationships.
Daily Routines and Personal Balance
Jackson shares his daily routines in Shanghai and Seoul, highlighting the importance of regimentation after 30. He uses an Apple Watch to track his sleep and workouts. He admits to occasional sleep problems due to overthinking. His current challenge is managing everything himself without a full team, from music to visuals.
Vision and Brotherhood
Jackson's vision is to reach a wider audience and perform in new places, particularly in India. He values the learning opportunities in Bollywood and the chance to merge Asian influences. They discuss the importance of friendship, with Jackson mentioning his friendship with RM from BTS. He recalls hosting gatherings in the past but now focuses on his solo career.
Indian Culture and Marriage
Jackson learns about the Indian head nod and expresses his openness to marrying an Indian girl, though he's not actively looking for a relationship. He envisions prioritizing family around 35. They joke about reuniting on the podcast at 60 and becoming roommates.
Fan Questions and Trainee Life
A fan asks about Jackson's experience transitioning from a band to a solo artist. He credits the trainee system and 88rising for giving him creative freedom. Another fan inquires about the harsh realities of trainee life. Jackson emphasizes the "no mercy" environment focused on results, where it's easy to get in but hard to stay. He describes the evaluation process and the skills needed to progress.
Debut Challenges and Mental Health in K-Pop
Jackson reveals he was always at the lowest grade during his trainee days and feels lucky to have debuted. He mentions the challenges of debuting with a music genre different from what they trained for. He notes that trainees support each other through the tough times, living together and relying on each other.
Joy and Skincare Tips
The host compliments Jackson's joyful demeanor despite facing tough times. Jackson shares his skincare tips for red carpet events, including fasting the night before, drinking a small shot of liquor, working out, using the sauna, and putting his head in ice water. He also reveals his daily green juice recipe for glowing skin.
Green Juice Recipe and Food Theories
Jackson details his green juice recipe, including garlic, ginger, lemon, celery, broccoli, banana, turmeric, blueberries, collagen powder, parsley, cucumber, ice, and coconut water. He avoids protein powder due to breakouts and prefers chicken and egg whites for protein. He shares his theory that boring food leads to better looks, echoing a Chinese saying about bitter medicine.
Podcast Experience and Black Mirror
Jackson enjoys the podcast's relaxed vibe and compares it to Joe Rogan's, which requires more thought. They discuss their love for "Black Mirror," analyzing its episodes and themes related to technology and human emotions.
AI and Future Tech
Jackson doesn't use AI much for his art but the host uses it for coaching and therapy, carefully guiding the AI to provide helpful insights. Jackson is developing his own AI called "Magic Eye," designed as a companion to provide positive energy, especially during lonely times.
Memories and Cultural Insights
They revisit a clip of Jackson discussing learning Korean through dating. He emphasizes the importance of making mistakes and having relationships with native speakers. He shares his childhood obsession with GarageBand and his early music production.
Fame and Spirituality
Jackson admits to feeling embarrassed after parties and wanting to avoid social media. The host shares a quote about the past being fiction and focusing on the present. They discuss the fleeting nature of fame and the importance of focusing on the process. The host describes spiritual spots in India, like Banaras, where public cremations occur, prompting reflection. Jackson hasn't experienced much spirituality yet due to his busy schedule.
Conclusion and Farewell
The host expresses his intention to get to know the artist inside Jackson, not just conduct an interview. He appreciates Jackson's grounded nature and present-focused mindset. The team shares their admiration for Jackson, and he expresses his gratitude. The podcast concludes with thanks and farewells.