Naver Daily Trends — 2026-05-17

Today's Top 10

1. Special Prosecution demands 7.5 years for Kim Keon-hee

• Category: Politics
• What happened?: The special prosecutor requested a 7-year-and-6-month prison sentence for Kim Keon-hee, who was indicted on charges of "selling public office." Kim’s defense team pushed back, claiming she is being "branded as a villain and insulted."
• Why it's trending?: It is an unprecedented case in constitutional history for a former First Lady to receive such a sentence demand, leaving the public focused on the future verdict and political fallout.

2. KOSPI hits 8000 then crashes; selling sidecar triggered

• Category: Economy
• What happened?: The KOSPI broke the 8000-point mark for the first time in history on the 15th, only to plunge back to the 7600 range shortly after, triggering a selling sidecar. This marks the 16th time a sidecar has been triggered this year.
• Why it's trending?: The combination of a historic record and a sudden crash on the same day left retail investors panicked and confused. The shock of the "8000 point to crash" sequence dominated real-time search terms.

1 sources

wikitree.co.kr

[속보] 코스피 8000→7600선 급락…매도 사이드카 발동 | 위키트리

3. Wreckage of HMM Namu-ho arrives in Korea for analysis

• Category: Society/International
• What happened?: The engine debris of the aircraft that struck the Korean vessel HMM Namu-ho in the Strait of Hormuz arrived in Korea on May 15 with the cooperation of the UAE government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a detailed forensic analysis.
• Why it's trending?: Identifying the origin and weaponry used in the attack on a Korean ship in the Middle East has become a critical diplomatic and security issue.

1 sources

khan.co.kr

khan.co.kr

4. Early summer heatwave; Seoul hits 32°C with UV alerts

• Category: Society/Weather
• What happened?: On May 15, the daytime temperature in Seoul reached 31.5°C, the hottest day of the year so far. Highs of over 32°C are expected to continue this weekend, with strong UV warnings in effect.
• Why it's trending?: The arrival of mid-summer temperatures in mid-May has raised concerns about climate anomalies, leading to a surge in searches for cooling products and sunscreen.

5. SpaceX IPO imminent; targeting June 12

• Category: IT/Economy/International
• What happened?: Reports from Reuters and other foreign media suggest that Elon Musk’s SpaceX is moving up its IPO schedule, aiming for a listing as early as June 12.
• Why it's trending?: As the world’s largest private space company, a market cap in the hundreds of trillions of won is expected. Interest among domestic investors regarding direct investment has exploded.

6. 10 new AI-focused universities selected; 3 billion won annual support

• Category: IT/Education
• What happened?: The Ministry of Science and ICT selected 10 new universities for the 2026 AI-focused university project, pledging up to 3 billion won annually for up to 8 years. Applications open on the 19th.
• Why it's trending?: With AI talent being the core of national competitiveness, this government policy is accelerating AI transformation in academia, drawing massive interest from students and educators.

7. Maeil Dairies Q1 operating profit jumps 44.6%

• Category: Economy
• What happened?: Maeil Dairies disclosed a Q1 2026 operating profit of 18.8 billion won, a 44.6% increase from the previous year. Revenue was 469.9 billion won, a 2.4% rise, driven by strong sales of fermented milk and formula.
• Why it's trending?: Despite concerns over consumer spending, the strong performance of food and retail stocks is catching the attention of investors.

8. Trump visits China for the first time in 9 years

• Category: International
• What happened?: US President Donald Trump visited Beijing for the first time in 9 years for a summit with President Xi Jinping. Follow-up details continue to emerge following the initial May 13 report.
• Why it's trending?: The direct meeting between US and Chinese leaders has an immediate impact on global trade and security, which is directly tied to South Korea’s diplomatic strategies.

1 sources

yna.co.kr

[이시각헤드라인] 5월 13일 뉴스리뷰 | 연합뉴스

9. Pokemon Mega Festa 2026 in Seongsu-dong suspended due to crowds

• Category: Culture/Society
• What happened?: The 'Pokemon Mega Festa 2026' (celebrating Pokemon’s 30th anniversary) in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, was temporarily suspended due to an overwhelming influx of visitors. Retail industry sources say the crowd was impossible to manage.
• Why it's trending?: It highlights the enduring popularity of the Pokemon IP in Korea and has sparked discussions about event safety and the magnetism of the "Seongsu-dong hot place."

10. KBS documentary "Talent War 2" highlights China’s tech ambition

• Category: Culture/IT/International
• What happened?: KBS1 aired 'Documentary Insight: Talent War 2' on the night of May 14, focusing on China's competitive edge in high-tech industries, specifically how it fosters talent in AI, humanoids, and the low-altitude economy.
• Why it's trending?: As US-China tech rivalry intensifies, the documentary provided a deep dive into China’s talent strategies, capturing the interest of young people planning their science and engineering careers.

Key Trends

• Politics: Kim Keon-hee’s trial is being consumed as a "political drama," dominating search trends over entertainment or sports.
• Economy: Anxiety is rising among retail investors following the KOSPI's historic crash, leading to high searches for "investment mentality management."
• Global: A shift is occurring as the public focus moves from domestic-only issues to global security, climate, and tech themes (HMM wreckage, SpaceX, Trump's visit).