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.

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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.

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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

Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHAT