SINGAPORE – Hong Kong-born K-pop sensation Jackson Wang expresses a deep connection to Singapore, especially as he hosted a bustling party at Marquee nightclub early Sunday morning (August 7). Before the event, he revealed a tattoo of the Youth Olympic Games logo on his bicep, symbolizing his participation in the inaugural Games held in Singapore in 2010.

As a member of the renowned boy band GOT7, Wang’s ties to the city-state are significant. His father, Wang Ruiji, is an Asian Games gold medalist in fencing, while his mother, Sophia Chow, was a gymnast. Although he received a fencing scholarship from Stanford University in 2011, he chose to abandon that path to pursue a career as a K-pop trainee in Seoul instead.

“Singapore holds special meaning for me, as it’s where I experienced my first Youth Olympic Games,” the 28-year-old star said, switching seamlessly between Mandarin and English. He expressed his affection for the city, stating, “I love you all very much, and I wish you a super happy birthday,” in honor of National Day on August 9.

Wang is in Singapore until August 10, filming travel vlogs as part of a collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board, aimed at promoting the SingapoReimagine global marketing initiative.

Related Article:
Scalpers are selling tickets for Jackson Wang’s Marquee party at prices up to $500, which is more than six times the original price.

When The Straits Times arrived at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands at 9:15 PM, hundreds of eager fans lined the viewing areas set up around the mall. Wang made his entrance on a black carpet at around 1 AM, dressed entirely in black with sunglasses, expressing gratitude for the warm welcome he received since landing in Singapore on August 2.

Discussing his upcoming solo album, Magic Man, Wang shared that this release holds significant personal value as it marks his first physical album. He hinted at the possibility of a tour but was cautious, saying, “We might be looking into a tour, but we don’t know yet. Perhaps if my audience wants me to, because you don’t want to have a tour with nobody coming,” he joked before heading into Marquee and waving to the devoted fans.

Most tickets for the event, which were priced at $60 for women and $80 for men, sold out online shortly after the event was announced on July 28. However, a long line formed outside the mall for limited tickets, including expedited entry priced at $200.

In the queue was a university student, known only as Mr. Tee, who arrived at 4 AM on Saturday. “I brought a lot of bread and mineral water with me,” he said. He has been a fan since 2016, following Wang’s activities with GOT7 and his various appearances in South Korea and China.

Another fan, Ms. Kowie Tan, 30, who arrived at Marina Bay Sands around 8 AM, expressed her dedication, saying, “I didn’t really eat, although I did get a small break for lunch because I didn’t dare to leave the area in case I lost my spot.”

During the two-hour event, Wang remained upbeat, engaging with the crowd and introducing performers he had curated, including beatboxer Dharni Ng, singers Laurie and Xenzu, as well as music producer Boytoy. He entertained the audience with a mix of his own songs like Papillon (2017) and recent releases such as Blow, alongside tracks from other artists, including the classic hit No Diggity by American R&B group Blackstreet.

Wang was seen enjoying the performances, dancing, and even splashing water into the audience, all while connecting with fans who eagerly captured the moment on their devices. As part of his promotional activities, he also launched a concept space for his streetwear brand, Team Wang Design, at Voco Orchard, showcasing a collection of summer beachwear open until the end of August.

Fans who missed their chance to see Wang at Marquee or Voco Orchard need not be disheartened. When asked about a potential return to Singapore, Wang playfully replied, using a bit of Singlish, “Promise lah.”