K-pop group Stray Kids named one of TIME magazine’s Next Generation Leaders 

TIME has released its new 2023 list of Next Generation Leaders for fall and it includes a politician, K-pop group and a drag queen. 

The new list features a cover profile of First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf, the first non-white and youngest First Minister, as well as the first Muslim politician to lead a Western democracy. 

First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf on the cover of TIME magazine (TIME) 

Stray Kids (X) 

In choosing who would be included in the list, TIME Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs wrote, “Through Next Generation Leaders, we explore influence in many forms, including artistry, athleticism, and activism. And we examine rising leaders breaking barriers in traditional realms of power like politics.” 

He added, “Representing this fall’s group on the cover is the First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, who has earned himself a growing series of firsts: At 27, he became the youngest member of the Scottish Parliament to join the Scottish government. Now 38, he is the first Muslim politician to lead a Western democracy, as well as the first nonwhite and youngest First Minister of his country.”

The new 2023 TIME Next Generation Leaders are: 

Alyssa Amor-Gibbons, 33: The Architectural Designer Planning Climate-Friendly Buildings for a Resilient Future

Dhruv Rathee, 28: Fact-Checking Indian Media Is Tough. Dhruv Rathee Uses Youtube to Do It

Humza Yousaf, 38: Exclusive: Meet the New Face of Scotland

Jamie Chadwick, 25: Jamie Chadwick Is Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Race Car Drivers

Jonathon Heyward, 31: The Conductor on a Mission to Make Classical Music for Everyone

Kim Shui, 31: Kim Shui Is Uplifting Women Through Fashion

Pattie Gonia, 31: How This Drag Queen Is Fostering an Inclusive Outdoor Community

Prince Gyasi, 28: The Photographer Forging a Connection Through Vivid Images

Sarah Khadem, 26: The Iranian Chess Master Making Moves for Freedom

Stray Kids, 24, 23, 22, 26, 24, 23, 23, 23: Stray Kids Found Global Success by Embracing a New Sound

About Stray Kids, TIME wrote,  “The band’s grungier headbanging anthems, which incorporate rock, EDM, and even industrial leanings, were initially criticized for being too noisy and eclectic compared to their glossier K-pop contemporaries. Yet instead of shifting gears to pander to expectations for Korean boy groups, Stray Kids embraced their distinct sound.”

The goal is to continuously pioneer new [musical] subjects and to have our music be recognized as a ‘Stray Kids’ genre,” according to Stray Kids’ Changbin.

The October 23 issue of TIME goes on sale on Oct. 13.