Naver Daily Trends — 2026-05-03

Today's TOP 10

1. Seoul International Garden Show hits 300,000 visitors

• Category: Society/Culture
• The Scoop: The 2026 Seoul International Garden Show, which kicked off on May 1, saw over 300,000 visitors on its first day, marking an all-time opening day high. The surge reflects Seoul citizens' high demand for spring outings.
• Why it’s trending: With the golden holiday and Children's Day approaching, social media has been flooded with photos, pushing the event to the top of real-time search rankings.

2. APR named to TIME100 Most Influential Companies

• Category: Economy/IT
• The Scoop: Korean beauty and lifestyle company APR was selected for TIME’s "2026 World's 100 Most Influential Companies," proving the global competitiveness of K-Beauty.
• Why it’s trending: It is rare for a mid-sized Korean beauty firm to receive such international recognition, drawing significant attention from investors and consumers alike.

3. Apple's earnings surprise: 164 trillion KRW in revenue

• Category: Economy/IT
• The Scoop: Apple reported $111.2 billion (approx. 164 trillion KRW) in revenue and $29.6 billion (approx. 43.7 trillion KRW) in net income for Q2 of fiscal 2026. This "earnings surprise" far exceeded market expectations despite the traditional off-season.
• Why it’s trending: Apple’s solid performance amid global uncertainty has boosted sentiment for domestic IT and semiconductor investors.

4. BTS Jungkook: #1 most-searched male idol on YouTube in 2026

• Category: Entertainment/K-POP
• The Scoop: Jungkook of BTS topped the list of most-searched male group idols on YouTube in Korea for 2026, according to global music data channels like 'About Music' and 'Pop Planet'.
• Why it’s trending: Even while serving in the military, Jungkook’s massive fan influence remains undeniable, with the news spreading rapidly among ARMY.

5. Police restrict departure for male idol trainee amid contract dispute

• Category: Entertainment/Society
• The Scoop: Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station has launched an investigation into a Japanese trainee who disappeared ahead of their debut. Following a complaint by their agency, the trainee is under a departure ban due to suspected dual-contract issues.
• Why it’s trending: The case has reignited public discourse regarding K-Pop training systems and the management of foreign trainees.

6. The surprising story of a rejected SM trainee

• Category: Entertainment/K-POP
• The Scoop: A trainee who failed over 50 auditions at SM Entertainment is gaining massive attention for their current career path, proving that being rejected by a "Big 3" agency isn't the end.
• Why it’s trending: The story provides inspiration and counters the cynical view of the competitive K-Pop industry, leading to viral engagement on social media.

7. Hyun Bin & Jung Woo-sung tease 'Made in Korea' Season 2

• Category: Entertainment/Drama
• The Scoop: Disney+ released stills for 'Made in Korea' Season 2, starring Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, and Woo Do-hwan. The intense rivalry between the leads is already stirring up excitement.
• Why it’s trending: Given the success of Season 1, the new season’s release on a global OTT platform has fans buzzing.

8. Children’s Day gift rush: Choirock unveils new toys

• Category: Society/Lifestyle
• The Scoop: Content company Choirock has unveiled new toy lineups for Children’s Day (May 5), including 'Hello Carbot' and 'Anpanman' merchandise.
• Why it’s trending: Parents are scrambling for gift ideas, causing a sharp spike in search terms related to "Children's Day gift recommendations."

1 sources

mbn.co.kr

mbn.co.kr

9. Doosan Enerbility leads in offshore wind power

• Category: Economy/Energy
• The Scoop: Doosan Enerbility (formerly Doosan Heavy Industries) is being highlighted for its persistence in offshore wind energy technology, a sector they stuck with while other major firms exited.
• Why it’s trending: As decarbonization and energy transition remain key topics, the company's long-term investment strategy is earning high praise.

10. North Korea holds 11th Socialist Patriotic Youth League Congress

• Category: Politics/International
• The Scoop: The 11th Congress of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League was held in Pyongyang from April 28 to 30, signaling an effort to tighten ideological control over North Korean youth.
• Why it’s trending: Experts are closely analyzing the political messages emerging from this large-scale event.

Trend Insights

1. Lifestyle trends surge ahead of the holiday: The dominance of topics like the Garden Show and Children's Day reflects a significant shift toward leisure and family-oriented consumption, contrasting with earlier political trends.

2. The dual nature of K-Entertainment: While stars like Jungkook and major dramas continue to succeed globally, internal structural issues regarding trainee contracts and industrial competition are receiving increased scrutiny.

3. "Surprise" in economic news: Positive news that exceeds expectations, such as APR’s TIME selection and Apple’s record revenue, is currently driving the highest engagement among readers.

Tomorrow's Key Points

• Will the Seoul International Garden Show maintain its viral momentum through the weekend?
• Developments in the idol trainee contract investigation.
• Continued peak in searches for Children's Day gifts until May 5.