GOT7’s Jackson Wang Gets Real About His Depression And Overcoming It
Taking Vogue magazine behind the scenes for his Head in the Clouds Festival stage, GOT7‘s Jackson Wang opened up about never being fully satisfied as an artist until his album MAGIC MAN. He then dived into the deeper reason why he’d been so critical of himself.
I’ve never been satisfied with myself my whole life, no matter what I do. And I think this album is the first time that I think it’s okay. I’ve never been this raw in my life.
— Jackson Wang
Though he’s in a better place now, Jackson Wang reflected on his many years as an artist and how it took a toll on him mentally to the point of falling into depression.
Looking back on his career from the time he debuted, Jackson Wang confirmed that a K-Pop idol’s life is nonstop and didn’t leave room for anything else. He admitted, “And I’ve been in this industry for eight, nine years. To a point that I was lost, and everything felt like a loop.”
Jackson Wang revealed that he’d become extremely depressed when constantly faced with so many tasks. He said, “You know, it’s just things after things, schedules after schedules. I was so depressed.”
After spending so long depressed, Jackson Wang couldn’t let it go on any longer. He came to the realization that he had to put himself first.
I just felt like, ‘You know what? Whoever I was, whatever I was, I want [to] just leave that behind and start fresh. And I wanna be me for a second.’
— Jackson Wang
Being his authentic self instead of what others expected of him helped Jackson Wang overcome his depression and reach the point of finally feeling a bit fulfilled.
I might not be perfect, you know? Not everybody might like me. But at least if you like me, if you support me, you’re supporting the real Jackson.
— Jackson Wang
Listen to Jackson Wang open up about how those rough times helped him become the artist he is today.