Nigerian-Korean Among 30 Most Influential Teens Of 2017

A 16-year-old Korean-born Nigerian, Han Hyun Min, has been listed among the Time’s 30 Most Influential Teens for 2017.

The fashion model, who grew up in South Korea, a largely homogeneous society, achieved the feat despite being often made to feel ashamed of his appearance.

“There are so many prejudices about darker skinned people in South Korea,” he told the magazine. “When I was in kindergarten, some of the mothers in the playground would tell my friends, ‘Don’t play with him. If you play with him, you will become darker too.’”

He was listed among other teenagers such as the Emmy Award nominee, Millie Bobby Brown, 13; young author and entrepreneur, Mikaila Ulmer,13; and two of Will Smith children, Willow,17 and  Jaden,19.

Min was discovered on Instagram and is now one of South Korea’s most sought-after fashion models, also a fixture in local magazines who has walked in 20 shows during the recent Seoul Fashion Week.

Although he has faced discrimination—he was denied several early castings because of his skin color—Min now says he hopes his rising profile will help make South Korea’s beauty standards more inclusive. “My dream is now a reality,” he tells TIME, “and I want those like me to feel they can achieve the same.”

The magazine said to determine TIME’s annual list, “we consider accolades across numerous fields, global impact through social media and overall ability to drive news.

“ In the past, we’ve recognized everyone from singer Lorde to Olympic champion Simone Biles to political activist Joshua Wong. Here’s who made this year’s cut (ordered from youngest to oldest).”