In the K-pop industry, idol groups are divided into different generations depending on the year they debuted. Currently, the K-pop industry is in the 4th generation of idol groups.

Although there is a clear distinction in idol generations depending on the debut year, there are at times certain idols are unclearly categorized due to their debut period being at the time when the idol generation is switching over.

This is the case for JYP Entertainment's Stray Kids.

Officially debuting at the beginning of 2018, Stray Kids began making a public appearance through the reality show of the same name in 2017. That is why there is still a discussion about whether Stray Kids belong to the 3rd or 4th generation of idol groups.

This discussion was started again in a popular online community where one netizen asked, "Stray Kids belong to the 3rd generation? I thought they were 4th generation. I don't know the dividing standard."

Other netizens joined the conversation and commented, "They debuted earlier than ITZY so I think they are 3rd generation," "I think they're considered 4th generation," "I think starting 2018 is the start of 4th generation so they are 4th," "I think they are 4th generation because their debut year is far apart from the 3rd generation idol groups," "Maybe 3.5 generation?" "I thought they were 3rd gen but people say they are 4th gen," "I think starting 2018 is 4th generation, right?" "The industry considers them as 4th generation," "They are still young," "If the industry says they're 4th gen, they are 4th gen," "I read in an article referring to them as 4th generation," and "They debuted in 2018 but they seem like they belong to the 3rd generation."