BTS member Jungkook has released his highly anticipated second digital single, “3D,” which features American singer and rapper, Jack Harlow. The single soon sparked controversy as the audiences noticed the message of the rap section of the song.
Jack Harlow’s verse that was tagged as ‘controversial’ reads:
“All my ABGs get cute for me
I had one girl (One girl), too boring
Two girls (Two girls), that was cool for me
Three girls, damn, dude’s horny
Four girls, okay, now you whorin'”
Apart from the explicit lyrics, what also stirred controversy was the use of “ABG,” which refers to Asian Baby Girl/Gangster. This can instill stereotypes about Asian-American girls who are often raised in Western countries. This stereotype portrays them as studious, kind, and reserved but also rebellious, associated with gangs, having their hair dyed, having tattoos, and spending nights out with their significant other.
Big Hit Entertainment said that “3D” is about a desire to connect with someone. They commented, “The track is an R&B pop song characterized by a minimalistic arrangement, a strong rhythm, and an irresistibly catchy sound. It cleverly employs the concept of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd dimensions to express a desire for connection. Jack Harlow joins the track as a featured artist.”
Fans had mixed opinions about the song, with some expressing that the feature was unnecessary. Many of Jungkook’s fans loved the high-rhythmic and catchy lyrics that made them feel good. However, when the rap part started, they expressed feeling uncomfortable, claiming that it objectified women and was utterly misogynistic.
https://twitter.com/tksovers/status/1707608857990586703?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1707608857990586703%7Ctwgr%5Eb3a1adb2d83831763c0dc5fb1cda189e9f74a4b4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.koreaboo.com%2Fnews%2Fmixed-army-reactions-jack-harlow-verse-bts-jungkook-3d%2F
that feat was a miss for me ngl
— Lenika Cruz (@lenikacruz) September 29, 2023
Never heard of Jack Harlow but i think 3D is better of w/out him. Especially his lines that are objectifying women.
His part is another level of explicit. A kind of explicit that contradicts what bts is standing for. But atlst they were considerate to give an alternate ver. https://t.co/uO31fR3EeH
— 🌸하이디 (@xxvantaehyung) September 29, 2023
I’m seeing whole lyric breakdowns of Jack’s verse in an effort to help people to like it more 🤷🏽♂️😅
It’s basic association rhymes laced with too many corny lines. We don’t need a dissection of lyrics for that 🤦🏽♂️
We just gotta face facts – this a bad feature.
— WhatchaGot2Say⁷ (7) (@WhatchaGot2Say) September 30, 2023
i have never physically recoiled from a bts song the way i did when i heard jack harlow’s verse
— rayna⁷ 🪻 (@nycnamjoon) September 29, 2023
On the other hand, others defend Jungkook, saying that he shouldn’t be personally attacked just because some didn’t like the song/verse.
https://twitter.com/cancallmeiris/status/1707635484694839557?s=12&t=kY7tlrspwi46yfVvjmkhpQ
nobody telling yall to start liking and idolizing Jack Harlow but atleast read the lyrics PROPERLY before making accusations or assumptions
especially when yall trying to involve JK in it lmao bye pic.twitter.com/ddASeAL160
— lea⁷ 🧑🏻🚀 (@seokjinbit) September 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/tksovers/status/1708184483071979914?s=20
ARMYs who did not like the rapper’s part resorted to listening to the ‘alternate version’ instead. Many speculated that Big Hit and Jungkook released the said version of 3D as they were aware that some would prefer Jungkook’s version of the song.
tbh I don’t really like Jack’s part 🫣
1 girl is boring & he insinuates he uses wh0res 😬 sounded like your stereotypical western male celeb 🙃 not for mee, sorry 🫣I really love Jungkook’s parts though 💃🏻 I prefer this alternate version ♥️ pic.twitter.com/hBBZN6IwKa
— ♡ Stefanie⁷ •𝖲𝗍𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝖶𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝖸𝗈𝗎• ♡ (@StefanieBe_) September 29, 2023
the 3d alternate ver its much much better bye sorry
— ★ 𐤀 (@_thvkv) September 29, 2023
OMG?! 3D – Alternate Ver. is even better😳🔥🧎♀️💜#3D_byJungkook https://t.co/5dqzsMjODu
— Kassia⁷⟭⟬ RPWP (@kassia3333) September 29, 2023
THANK GOD FOR THIS CAUSE THOSE JACK HARLOW LYRICS HAD ME CRINGING SO BAD pic.twitter.com/R5YoHv8znG
— 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧 (@shanxeditss) September 29, 2023
The song “3D” reached the No. 1 spot in over 80 countries on the iTunes chart making it the fastest song in history to achieve this kind of feat.
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