In an era where sexting and cybersex are part of the rich fabric of human sexuality, 3D tackles the desire for a return to physicality, wherein touch removes sex from the cold spaces of the virtual and brings it back to the warmth of corporeality, bodies not separated by the screen; Jungkook’s opening lines: “I can’t touch you through the phone / Or kiss you through the universe / In another time zone / It’s the only time I can’t reverse”. The 3D of the title refers to the third dimension, that of the body and hapticality, the pleasure of touch, configured with or without emotion. Although of course, 3D as a type of technology mimics touch and tactility to give viewers an impression of being part of the visual event, whatever that may be. As such, the song plays with the concept of 3D, understanding it as imitative technology as well as connoting a need for connection and comfort in the physical realm.
Penned in part by the man behind BTS’s biggest global smash, Dynamite (David Stewart) together with BloodPop@ and Jack Harlow, 3D is the youngest member of BTS’s second solo single. Like Seven, 3D features a US rapper, however here it is a male rapper, Jack Harlow, rather than a female one, Latto. A mixture of nostalgic 2000’s R&B with a contemporary feel, 3D again insists on the golden mankae’s maturity through explicit lyricism, and repeated reference to the (female) orgasm, sometimes overtly, while at others implicitly: “Champagne confetti”, “I wanna see it / In Motion / In 3D”. However, it is an orgasm which functions as visible evidence of male desirability. Harlow’s verses confirm this, as do the scenes in the MV that accompany them: “I had one girl, too boring / Two girls, that was cool for me / Three girls, damn dude’s horny / Four girls, okay now you whoring”. The truth is this type of macho posturing is fundamental to Hip-hop, wherein women function as evidence of male patriarchal privilege and virility. Harlow singing these lines as he walks along a line of beautiful young women really doesn’t help to dispel this machismo. A song that does manage to do this is 50 Cent’s Candy Shop (feat. Olivia, 2005), its play on desire and the gaze functioning to subvert the conventions of the genre through a twist at the end as shown in the accompanying music video.
While it is possible that 3D may be an even bigger hit than Seven, Latto’s rap in Seven is preferable to Harlow’s in 3D; for a song about sexual pleasure, a female voice would have helped to lessen what could be seen as the objectification of women into mere receptacles of male desire. Harlow’s lyric “All my ABGs get cute for me” can be said to continue the orientalist trend toward fetishisation of Asian women, especially those from East Asia, either as the sexually dangerous Dragon Lady or the submissive and docile Lotus blossom. K-Pop regularly utilises such imagery, especially in promoting female idol groups even in terms of the most globally successful ones. Such pervasive racial stereotypes impact on the real lived experiences of many women of colour in today’s society.
While Seven can be seen to be empowering in its evocation of female desire and sexuality, 3D is just more conventional in its depiction of gender relations. It could have been more than a typical male pop song with a rap feature; Jack Harlow has done better than this, a case in point being Industry Baby (Lil Nas X, 2021). Even given this, it is a fun song, the music video is high energy and high concept, and Jungkook’s vocals are, as always, on point. Further, there is an alternate version of the song, which fans may find preferable as it omits Harlow’s verses.
It is evident to see what drew Jungkook to this song, it is catchy with a memorable chorus and Tik-Tok appeal. And out of all the BTS members, Jungkook is the only one whose individual colour is not clear yet. The multi-talented idol seems to be having a good time, experimenting with songs and pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in K-Pop, while at the same time, not confining himself to one genre but trying out different ones to find what fits. It is good to see Jungkook living his life freely and with abandonment, given the strict restrictions he was subject to growing up as an idol.
In the final analysis this is a song that is Western in its conception and inception. It is more G-Pop (Global Pop) than K-Pop, and in many ways, this is a positive thing. The message of the recent Global Citizen Festival (23 September 2023) was one of unity across nations, a diverse and inclusive citizenship committed to eradicating poverty and social equity. And it was during this festival that Jungkook first teased this collaboration. 3D might lead fans to wonder whether there is another surprise collaboration on its way, but all that can be certain is that Jungkook’s EP will drop soon. The success of Seven and no doubt 3D will ramp up anticipation for the young idol’s first solo album.
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Written by Dr Colette Balmain
VIEW OF THE ARTS 
I agree that the racial implication in the end of 3D is problematic, although not obvious to the listener. And is that something JK agrees with? Definitely not. I interpret it as exposing the slur rather than confirming it.
However, when JH lists how many partners he “dates” there is also an element of regret about his own “whore” behavior. He is also exposing himself as a player when holding hands. 3D plays on the contradictive feelings of regret and desire, the male gaze and the female “revenge”. “Body to body to body to body” is pretty obvious as a desire, but it’s a mutual desire. In the mv, the empowered girls carry and touch JK as a group, but in the end he is alone.
The narratives of Seven and 3D are meant to be funny and light. In Seven JK is a stalker who finally gets lucky. In 3D he’s trying to be a player and just have fun, but he ends up alone, used by the girls.
oh i really appreciate this writing, as an Army (fan) I really love how my fav artist is experimenting with his vocal ranges and giving us his best everytime. Thank you so much for elaborating it very well.
Dear Colette, please go back to actually analyze Jack’s lyrics, paying careful attention to the tenses he is using, including some specific southern uses of phrases. A good interpretation is, he used to be like this….but now…when he takes someone’s hand, it’s different. I do believe Jack is actually critical of his past self. This is important to note. I think it changes the whole song. And the balance that Jungkook brings. I believe many are missing this in their analysis.
Think you are making good sense here, Yulia. Perhaps there is some residual ambivalence on Jack’s/the speaker’s part, but his intention seems to be to signal some change in his way of thinking.
Brilliant writing. Analysis spot on. You manage to convey truth without debasing the work. Admirable.
Really liked the article. Turned me on to all kinds of ways to explain things I have been thinking a feeling with regard to Jung Kook’s recent works. Will be following you in the future.
I agree with Yulia Lavrick above, i think you are using the quotes in Jack Harlow’s rap out of context: he talks about change: how he was with women before and how he relates now. And not everyone agrees ABG is a slur; check out how JH was introduced to the term by an ABG;). Interesting too that there are no asian girls in the lineup..
More I listen, more I like 3D. There’s superficial shock, but real vulnerability in putting yourself forward, revealing yourself to another, giving the other autonomy, control … & the last lines more and more sound vulnerable to me, trailing off w/o a beat…
I find both Seven and 3D refreshing, a man celebrating sex while showing consideration and respect for women, I love it.