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Health concerns, entertainment news, the Asian Games and social controversies drove South Korea’s trending Google searches on Sept. 29, 2026. The figures are approximate search volumes supplied by Google, and the order of the trending list does not necessarily correspond to total search volume.
Health Searches Take the Top Spot
“Blood sugar” ranked first with more than 10,000 searches. Interest followed Hyundai Green Food’s announcement of an eating guide focused on controlling blood sugar spikes and other metabolic issues. The book, scheduled for publication Oct. 1, includes 103 recipes based on principles intended to promote slower aging. A dispute over staffing requirements for blood pressure and blood sugar management under a primary care pilot program also drew attention from an association representing nursing assistants.
“Diabetes” ranked ninth with more than 2,000 searches. Related stories included plans for a World Diabetes Day event at South Korea’s National Assembly, concerns about changes to a support program serving 450,000 older patients with hypertension or diabetes, and opposition from 19 regions to a 5 billion won budget cut for a long-running disease management program.
Actors and an AI-Generated Rumor
Actor Park Bo-kyung ranked second with more than 1,000 searches after a scene in the fifth and sixth episodes of “Even a Lottery Winner Goes to Work” drew attention. Her character challenged Gong Eun-tae, played by Lee Joon-hyuk, after he independently approved a deal exceeding the authorized amount by 900,000 euros, or about 1.4 billion won. The scene emphasized process and accountability over results.
“Pregnancy” ranked fifth with more than 5,000 searches after an AI-generated image fueled a false pregnancy rumor involving Yoona, a singer and actor who rose to fame with the K-pop group Girls’ Generation. Her agency said it had filed a criminal complaint and would not seek leniency or a settlement.
Comedian Park Na-rae ranked 10th with more than 5,000 searches as two former managers accused of blackmailing her appeared for their first trial. They denied most of the charges.
Asian Games Problems and Victories
“Volleyball” ranked third with more than 1,000 searches amid reports of transportation failures at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan. South Korean players reportedly had to prepare for a match on a bus after it arrived at the wrong location. Pakistan’s team also encountered transportation problems, while Vietnam’s women’s volleyball team was reportedly dropped at the wrong hotel and had to carry its luggage to its accommodations.
A search term associated with race walking ranked fourth with more than 500 searches, though the related story centered on marathon runner Park Min-ho. He completed the 26.2-mile race despite torn skin on the sole of his foot and a shoe soaked with blood.
Badminton player Lee So-hee ranked sixth with more than 200 searches after she and Baek Ha-na won the women’s doubles title, South Korea’s first Asian Games gold medal in the event in 24 years.
North Korea Claim and Political Interview
“Hacker” ranked seventh with more than 2,000 searches after a North Korean human rights group alleged that a North Korean hacker was caught attempting to defect to South Korea and forcibly returned while disguised as a patient. The group also alleged that the person was held in a secret detention area beneath the North Korean Embassy in Beijing and placed in a full-body cast before repatriation. The claims were presented as allegations by the organization.
Former politician Song Young-gil ranked eighth with more than 2,000 searches after he abruptly ended a live interview, saying he was going to dine with the president. The broadcaster’s production team later expressed strong regret over the interruption.
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