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aespa the 2nd K-pop act on TIME's 'Next Generation Leaders', fans ask 'btw comeback when'

They are also the first K-pop girl group ever to be acknowledged by TIME as one of the 'Next Generation Leaders'

With K-pop going global, the West has time and again acknowledged its impact on music and pop culture. We have had icons like EXO’s Baekhyun and Chungha, as well as rookies like STAYC and aespa making the lists of magazines like TIME. Well, they have now once again honored ‘monster rookies’ aespa by including them in the ‘Next Generation Leaders 2022’ list. 

Back in 2018, BTS had become the first K-pop act to be selected for TIME’s ‘Next Generation Leaders’ list. It has taken four years but now aespa has become the second K-pop act and first K-pop girl group to be added to this list. Out of the 10 influential people selected for the list of ‘Next Generation Leaders 2022’ we have the likes of beauty influencer Deepica Mutyala, ‘Bridgerton’ actor Jonathan Bailey, viral singer CKay and Mongolian tech leader Bolor Erdene Battsengel.

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TIME selects aespa for ‘Next Generation Leaders 2022’

South Korea and K-pop fans were impressed that just two years into their music career, just as they’re on the cusp of transitioning from rookie artists to a full-fledged K-pop group, aespa has managed to grab a spot in TIME’s ‘Next Generation Leaders 2022’ list. As the only K-pop group on the list, aespa was chosen as the upcoming global trendsetter for their potential contribution to enhancing culture. 

Having just finished their stint at Coachella 2022 and becoming the third K-pop girl group to perform at the music festival, aespa had a chance to talk to TIME about their goals, as well as their qualms like the AI concept that first received much backlash when it was introduced in their debut. Karina shared that they had wanted to push the limits of imagination with their metaverse storyline and bridge reality and the virtual space while Ningning was glad that their fans accepted the concept and them with open arms.

‘Congrats to my girls’

One fan loved the TIME shoot, “aespa are really devouring with every Magazine shoot.” Another was proud, “‘Metaverse Icon’ ‘Next Generation Leaders’ Yes, aespa is aespa and they’re the 4th gen leaders.” One fan added, “aespa literally went from rookie of the year to next generation leaders." With it being a while since aespa made their comeback, some fans made jokes like, “Congrats to my girls @aespa_official💓 but give us now the cb,” and “Congrats, btw comeback when?” One fan shared, “ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER SLAY.” Another fan added, “Next generation leaders so true! aespa bigger than everything.” One fan joked, “I can bet that gigi is already tired of explaining the concept in every interview lol.”