“I’ve always been a competitive person, too,” the GOT7 member said in an interview. Nike and Jordan Brand have gone above and beyond to promote the Air Jordan 1. The fever is clearly at an all-time high with its 40th anniversary this year. And the brand is here to remind us of the revolution that took place years ago with Michael Jordan and the shoes that were banned! This year-long celebration includes a new release, an iconic commercial, and more which are hard to miss. Leading the wave is the Unbannable force, the Oxygen star!

All the way back in 1985, the red and black colorway that Jordan’s kicks flaunted was banned by the NBA. Nike reportedly paid the fines, cleverly turning the controversy into a marketing move that sparked what is called MJ’s rebellious era. In the new commercial, the brand highlighted what would have happened if the fines had not been paid. This was a hypothetical scenario.

And well, several iconic figures appeared in the ad. Jayson Tatum, Luka Dončić, and Travis Scott! Another major influence was Jackson Wang. The South Korean boy band GOT7 member became a part of the Nike family back in 2024. He is now the new creative director and global partner for Nike & Jordan. This collaboration will clearly see a massive confluence of sports, music, fashion, and culture.

Wang recently made an appearance at the Unbannable event, in Hangzhou, as well as in the brand’s newest commercial for its global clientele. “In a world where the Air Jordan 1 is banned, @Jacksonwang1852G7 brought the city out to celebrate the unbannable community and the shoe that couldn’t be banned,” Jumpman just posted on its IG Story. In the commercial, Wang says, “I’m rocking these AJ1, these sneakers they’re not just sneakers, this AJ1 it didn’t just change the game on the court, it changed the game on the streets it’s about breaking boundaries. It’s about not being constrained by rules!”

For all the Ahgase who missed it, the artist was also present at the NBA All-Star event in 2025. He was also seen flaunting style in the Asia-Exclusive Air Jordan 1 High ‘Xuanwu.’ These muted ‘Black/Cream colorway shoes featuring reptilian scales upper are part of the collection for the Chinese New Year. More of him and the brand will likely be seen in the future.

Well, a globally ranked fencer and elite K-pop artist, who is better than Wang to lead Nike’s global wave?

Jackson Wang talks about his first Nike/Jordan apparel and his partnership

When asked about his first Nike or Jordan apparel, the Kpop artist recalled that his friend from his fencing team once got him Air Force 1 shoes. “It was the first birthday gift I received that made me cry. I had dreamed of those shoes for a long time. But I didn’t have the money to buy it, and it was too much to ask my parents to get it for me. One of the seniors on the fencing team knew that I wanted the shoe so badly, he surprised me with it,” Wang said. 

Coming from a sports family of a former national team gymnast mother, a former national team fencer father, and a rugby player brother, Wang had the mentality and competitiveness that made him a fitting partner for the collaboration. “I see a lot of similarities between the two. Having an athletic mindset in the realm of entertainment and creativity means just keeping at it,” he added.  

Wang’s career spans a diverse array of personal interests and passions. He joined the K-pop group, won millions of hearts with his work, and started his solo career. “With each of these phases, for better or worse, people attach a certain label on you. That’s precisely why I love Nike & Jordan Brand giving me this opportunity. It’s like they’re saying to me, “Here’s a playground. Go and play. Spread your wings and be free creatively,” Wang said. They’re embracing me as both a partner and an athlete. It goes back to the identity thing. Nike & Jordan let me be true to who I am. At its core, he sees it as a seamless performance, whether in sports, art, or everyday life.