Jackson was scouted by JYP Entertainment among other 2000 contestants in 2010 He wanted to become a trainee but his parents were against it at first. His father made a deal that he would let him go to Korea if Jackson can be the best fencer of Asia. Jackson eventually won first place at the Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championship.
Jackson came to Korea in July 3, 2011 and became a JYP trainee for 2 and a half years before his debut in Got7. His first pre-debut appearance was on an episode of Mnet's reality-survival program WIN: Who Is Next, which aired on September 6, 2013. Jackson alongside Mark, BamBam & Yugyeom were competing against the YG Entertainment trainees: Team A and Team B (that are now known as WINNER (Team A) and iKON (Team B)). Jackson´s first appearance as an official member of Got7 was in the teaser for their debut on January 6 with Yugyeom. Got7's video came out on January 6.