With his chiseled jawline and defined pecs very much on display in the recently released music video for "Oxygen," it’s not a stretch to assume Jackson Wang is in the midst of a strict fitness and diet regimen. As it turns out, that’s not exactly true. In fact, of late, the singer is significantly more interested in munching on convenience-store ramen than he is downing a protein shake. After more than five years as a member of the arena-filling K-pop boy band GOT7—in addition to his pursuits as a solo artist—the 25-year-old Hong Kong–born star says he's finally found a more balanced approach to his fitness routine. That means relaxing on the incessant carb-cutting and gym time, and instead pinpointing how to address other health-related matters.

As Wang prepares his debut solo album Journey to the West, slated for an early 2020 release, the singer-rapper-producer says he's increasingly comfortable showing a sometimes unpolished side of himself. That’s a stark difference from the glowing skin, striking hair colors, and perfectly coordinated designer clothes that he and his K-pop band mates showed off in GOT7's "Look" music video last year. Wang’s growing fanbase doesn’t seem to mind: He’s racking up millions of views (his trap-heavy, Gucci Mane collaboration "Different Game" currently boasts nearly 13 million hits on YouTube) while pushing an honest attitude that's refreshing to more than just the (massive) K-pop market.

On a rare day off in China, Wang spoke to GQ about how he maintains some semblance of a diet and exercise program, even while the whole world is watching his every move.

GQ: What's the difference in how you prepare for your solo releases versus a GOT7 release?

Jackson Wang: I’ve started thinking about how I should do my solo things a little more unpolished—but in a good way. I've decided to shoot things like video interviews and appearances without makeup, and I’m not shaving my beard as often. What am I hiding? I want to be myself.

I used to cut out carbs because I would diet, but then I realized, why can't I eat carbs? I started eating rice, Cup Noodles, whatever I want. Of course, I still need to be in shape. I was in shape and had better physical results before, but I felt like I wasn't as healthy emotionally. I think it's because I wasn't eating right and I wasn't sleeping right. Every day, I was calculating this and that—I can't eat that, I have to work out this area. It was like math to me. But why not take it slow? At the end of the day, I’m still me.

So changing your eating habits helped you emotionally?

Yeah, I'm just feeling more free. In terms of self-control, it's not like I don't care and I'm going to eat whatever I want to an unhealthy point. I'll be within the boundaries, but I'm going to lower the line of expectation a little bit.

What's a regular day for you right now?

I spend a lot of time recording. I'll go eat, and then I'll have a massage—like a therapeutic massage. The reason why I know I need massages is because after days of shooting a music video or something, my neck and shoulders get so tired and overworked that my glands get blocked. The blood couldn't properly circulate through my neck and shoulders—that's why my face was always swollen before. It was probably from being so tired.

How do you plan on maintaining your health in the future, whether it's on your own or with GOT7?