Client: Esquire
GOT7 would eventually sell millions of albums but, as a rookie idol, Jackson spent time guesting on South Korea’s variety shows, trying to help his group make a dent in the audience’s consciousness. He proved eminently watchable, in possession of an easygoing charm, magnetic handsomeness, and natural comic timing, oscillating from the mischievous instigator to the long-suffering foil. He could have made being a TV gagman his permanent side hustle, but Jackson wasn’t keen on becoming merely the funny guy, the meme guy. He wanted to be known for music. And eventually he wanted to do his own thing his own way, beyond the confines of a K-Pop agency.
Taylor Glasby 