Despite facing some challenges, including the recent termination of their exclusive contract with ADOR, the popular K-pop group NewJeans has made a remarkable achievement by securing a spot in the Top 10 at the 2024 Melon Music Awards (MMA).
Held on November 30 at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, the MMA is one of South Korea’s largest and most prestigious music award ceremonies, recognizing the best in music through a combination of user votes, expert evaluations, and Melon data.
Although the group did not attend the event, NewJeans made a strong impression with their recent musical output, including popular tracks like “Bubble Gum,” “How Sweet,” “Right Now,” and “Supernatural,” which were all well-received by their fans.
NewJeans (Credit: YouTube)
The group’s consistent engagement with fans through these releases and performances helped secure their place in the Top 10 of the year, even amidst their agency transition.
In addition to their MMA achievement, NewJeans made an appearance on the Japanese TV Asahi music program Music Station on November 29, marking a successful return to the spotlight.
This accomplishment follows recent news of their contract termination with ADOR, yet the group quickly resumed their normal activities, proving their resilience in the face of industry changes.
The MMA Top 10 recognition highlights their impact on the K-pop scene and reaffirms their position as one of the leading acts in the genre.
David Dobrik, once a dominant force on YouTube, has become a figure of curiosity for many fans after a noticeable absence from the platform.
As of September 2024, it has been more than two years since the Slovak-born YouTuber posted a new video on his channel, sparking questions about his whereabouts and reasons for stepping back.
David Dobrik (Credit: YouTube)
Why Did David Dobrik Stop Posting?
Several factors appear to have contributed to David Dobrik’s hiatus from YouTube, with some pointing to a shift in focus towards other business ventures and personal matters.
One major reason for his reduced online presence is his commitment to launching his pizza business, Doughbrik’s, which opened in November 2022.
Before the opening, Dobrik claimed he had spent months perfecting the pizza recipe and was fully invested in making the launch successful.
This shift to entrepreneurship likely took up a significant amount of his time, pushing his YouTube career into the background.
While he hasn’t posted on YouTube, Dobrik has remained active on other social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, where he continues to vlog and share snippets of his life.
For example, his most recent Instagram post in April 2024 featured a tour of his house during the Coachella festival, in collaboration with Guess Jeans.
This suggests that while his focus may have shifted away from YouTube, Dobrik still values his brand and audience, maintaining a presence through influencer marketing and partnerships.
Vlog Squad Controversy and Legal Issues
Another aspect of Dobrik’s life that likely contributed to his hiatus is the fallout from controversies surrounding his former Vlog Squad members.
One of the most significant incidents involved Jeff Wittek, who was severely injured in 2020 when a stunt involving a crane went wrong while Dobrik was piloting it. Wittek suffered severe injuries and had multiple surgeries, including attempts to save his eye.
David Dobrik (Credit: Pinterest)
The situation led to a public feud between the two, with Wittek filing a lawsuit against Dobrik, claiming $10 million in damages. This public fallout not only strained their friendship but also tarnished Dobrik’s image, further distancing him from his YouTube audience.
Additionally, Dobrik faced backlash due to the sexual assault allegations against another Vlog Squad member, Dominykas “Durte Dom” Zeglaitis.
These allegations resulted in all of Dobrik’s YouTube channels being demonetized and caused him to lose several lucrative sponsorship deals, including major brand partnerships.
Although Dobrik made a comeback in mid-2021, these controversies undoubtedly played a role in his decision to step back from content creation and focus on other endeavors.
