An Explainer on ABGs Because Jack Harlow Just Had to Go There

The white rapper and Jungkook collaborator made some questionable lyric choices on new track "3D"

From left, Jungkook and Jack Harlow in the "3D" video.

Still frame from "3D"

Words by Daniel Anderson

Last Friday, BTS’ Jungkook released his new single “3D” featuring American rapper Jack Harlow. The track debuted at No. 3 on Spotify’s Global Top Songs chart, but has received a mixed reception from fans.

Some netizens are getting the ick with Harlow’s rap verses, specifically where he gets creepy: “Four girls, okay, now you whorin'” and “All my ABGs get cute for me.” 

A quick google search of “ABG” will pop up results about arterial blood gas analysis, which is a test used by medical professionals to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood system. While the song gets the blood pumping, that’s not what Harlow is referring to.

The term ABG is an acronym for Asian Baby Girl or Asian Baby Gangster. It’s become a stereotype and shorthand for a particular aesthetic or lifestyle of East Asian and Southeast Asian women in the United States. Visually, ABGs are known by features such as large or fake eyelashes and nails, color contacts, tattoos, balayage or dyed blonde hair and darker revealing clothing or branded streetwear. ABGs can be found at raves, out partying at the hottest club or at a car show. They might have a vape in one hand and a boba tea in the other. Obviously this is wildly stereotypical.

It’s a term that has evolved over the years. Dating back to the ‘80s and ‘90s, ABGs were young women associated with the party scene or Asian gang members in cities like New York. Since then, the term has gained prominence to what it is today through online use. Asian content creators have styled themselves to the ABG aesthetic and Facebook communities like Subtle Asian Traits and Subtle Asian Dating helped propel the term to greater colloquial and cultural use.

As with any label, some will identify with it and others see it as harmful. A through line of ABGs from the ‘90s to now is their status within a counterculture. ABGs can be credited as being badass, loud, tough, and sociable, breaking the stereotype of Asian women as soft and fragile. However, ABGs have become a subculture unto themselves. Some see them as the equivalent of the “basic white girl” but for Asian American communities. ABGs have also been sexualized and slut-shamed for their looks and lifestyle. Even perusing Subtle Asian Dating, some posters felt the need to preface and distinctly note their ABG friend as not like the others because they are “wholesome.”

Getting back to the situation with Harlow: The (very white) rapper seemingly picked up the term ABG from a fan, but his understanding of its connotations appears incomplete. In a scenario where a white man collaborates on an Asian man's song, he utilizes the opportunity to rap about how Asian women make themselves attractive for him. The concern here isn't necessarily about the sexual nature of the song "3D." Rather, it centers on Harlow's specific act of sexualizing and objectifying a particular group of people within a broader culture that has historically been fetishized.

Fortunately for ARMY, an alternative version of the song exists without Jack Harlow.

Published on October 2, 2023

Words by Daniel Anderson

Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.