Jackson Wang's concert gave me a new perspective on my Chinese roots
Through his performance and words, the Chinese pop star broke Asian stereotypes and showed audiences how he has a good time in Toronto
According to social media, people are in “a very Chinese time” of their lives. Apparently it’s cool to drink boiling hot water, wear house slippers and consume goji berries for health and wellness. This may be a trend for a portion of the Western world at the moment, but for me, it’s been my reality.
The truth is, I didn’t always have pride in my Chinese culture—despite growing up in a predominantly Asian community in Toronto. People at school commented in the hallways about it smelling “like rice.” Classmates in school jokingly called me a “chink”—a slur often used for Chinese people. Others gave me the nickname CPS—which stood for “Chinese porn star.” Shamefully, there was a time I laughed along with my classmates, realizing later on that I was both the subject of fetishization and ridicule.
It took me years to fully embrace my Chinese heritage—even write proudly about it. So honestly, the fact that being Chinese is “trendy” in 2026 gives me a bit of the ick.
Still, I was able to let go of my mixed feelings at the recent Jackson Wang concert in Toronto. That’s because the atmosphere around the venue was in fact “very Chinese.” Everyone around me were speaking a form of Chinese dialect. And during the show, a man behind me kept yelling “Jackson, you are so handsome” in Cantonese. I felt right at home at the Coca-Cola Coliseum—especially as I too, am Chinese with Hong Kong roots like Wang.
Wang, who first debuted in the K-pop group GOT7 in 2014, is somewhat of an icon for the Chinese community. The singer was born and raised in Hong Kong, but has since moved his home base to Shanghai to be closer to his parents.
Unlike singers who come from the polished and controlled K-pop idol system, Wang is a singer who has managed to break out of those barriers. He curses in songs and in conversation. He openly talks about sex, announcing at the end of the show his next album is going to be called SEX GOD. And he frequently embraces his masculinity and sexuality in performances, dressing in see-through tops and inviting fans on stage to give them personalized Magic Mike-styled dances.
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Wang also embraces the complexity that comes with being a human being, opening up about mental health and going through dark spirals. His latest album MAGIC MAN 2 was written during a period of time where he was trying to find himself.
“I realized that I missed a lot in my 20s, good moments and bad moments. It came down to a point where I was like, ‘I don’t even know what Jackson Wang is anymore,’” he told me in an interview for GRAMMY last July. “I felt like I had to take this time off to get closer to my inner self to ask, ‘What is my purpose and value of just being alive?’”
Wang is also fiercely proud of his Chinese heritage, often introducing himself as “Jackson Wang from China”. He frequently makes a point of speaking Cantonese and Mandarin during concerts and interviews. At times, this part of him has even drawn both criticism and praise by his own community who have different political stances. In 2023, during a concert in London, Wang called out the negative reporting of China by Western media outlets, describing it as “propaganda bullshit.” Wherever you stand on the political spectrum, the Chinese community is still often seen as a monolith. Wang’s outspoken nature shows we are nuanced human beings with different views.
Wang’s concert is both a tribute to his journey growing up, his fans and his parents. He pays fan service, playing party host to attendees at his show. In a video essay that comes in the middle of the concert, Wang openly discusses the dark depressive spiral he entered in 2023, which led him to take a year-long break back home with his family.
The second part of the concert is also dedicated to his parents. Wang blends voice memos of relatives speaking Cantonese and Mandarin in a track called “Dear.” “You’re working so hard. Did you come home yet? Have you eaten dinner yet?” his mother asks in Cantonese. In Chinese culture, the question is often a term of endearment used to check in on loved ones. He later sings a tribute to his mom and dad in a song called “Sophie Ricky.”
“I realized us and our parents, it feels like we’re on the same street, but they’re just further up,” Wang told me back in July. “I just wanted to give flowers to them, and also be able to appreciate how much of a sacrifice they gave me and my brother.”
Wang also repeatedly reminds the audience to “find their own happiness”. As Chinese people, we are often told to conform and put our heads down in order to succeed. Wang breaks free of that stereotype, encouraging others to find their own path in life.
“Life can be very beautiful, but sometimes we have to be assholes,” he says after a performance of GBAD.
Wang is also out to have a good time, as he brings hundreds of fans on stage with him to rave during the encore of his show. But in the end, his message to the audience is blunt. “Everyone’s having a hard time. The world is on fire,” he says. “We have to treat ourselves better.”
The thing that makes Wang an important figure in Chinese pop culture is the fact that he doesn’t portray himself to be perfect. He’s just human, and that itself should be a lesson for first-generation/second generation Chinese kids that it’s okay not to be everything in life.
In a culture that often preaches conformity and stability, Wang’s advice to go against the grain is a good reminder that we too deserve good things in our lives if it makes us feel fulfilled. While non-Chinese people will resonate with that message, Wang’s words still felt rather directed to his own kind.
To me, the most Chinese thing of all about Jackson Wang was seeing a man of the same heritage as me being embraced on stage by his community. He owns the messiness and complexity of life. He preaches self-love and self-respect. He loves the unconventional job he has as an entertainer. Most importantly, he’s unapologetic about it all.
As fellow Chinese people, we can all take something from that.
In related news…
I got a kick out of Jackson Wang asking for Toronto recommendations, as he announced during his concert he would spend four days off in the Canadian city before he heads to Latin America for a tour.
Immediately after the show, he was flooded with recommendations. Most Chinese of all, I got a kick out of people sending him to Scarborough and Markham, which arguably has the best Cantonese food outside of Hong Kong.
“You know what’s the best food? Whenever you travel to where I grew up like Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, if you’ll ever travel to my city, you’ll know.”
“When you walk in, the boss is mad. Then you know you getting some good food!”
We know you miss your cha chaan tengs Jackson! So without further ado, here are my recommendations.
1. First Markham Place - get some BBQ Pork. Real ones wanna know if you prefer the yellow or white stall!
Address: 3255 Hwy 7, Markham, ON
2. Cafe de Hong Kong - for the pineapple bun fried chicken sandwich
Address: 11 Fairburn Drive Unit 12-15, Markham, ON
3. Bahn Mai Pho An - cheap Vietnamese sandwiches!!
Address: 3833 Midland Ave unit 6, Scarborough, ON
4. Fragrant Bakery - it may be extra cramped inside, but the egg tarts are too delicious!
Address: 3833 Midland Ave unit 17 (located in Evergold Centre)
5. Great Fountain - expansive menu of Chinese food. Meet the sweetest, most wholesome family running the stall!
Address: Dynasty Centre Food Court in Scarborough, ON
6. Sam Woo’s - late night Cantonese eats.
Address: 375 Bamburgh Cir, Scarborough, ON
7. Daan Go - For delicious, Instagram worthy Asian-inspired desserts made by Masterchef Canada winner Christopher Siu!
Address: 3380 Midland Ave, Unit 11 (You can also go to Toronto’s Chinatown if you’re staying downtown)
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