Alex Choi on Viral Stunts, Crazy Police Chases, Being a ‘Stringer’ and Regrets

This week we’re happy to welcome Alex Choi, making what he tells us is his ‘real’ podcast début whilst also being the youngest guest we’ve ever had on the show. Despite being a hugely well-known streamer and content creator (you may have come across some of his more notorious escapades online), he’s rarely given interviews, until now. Alex tells Scotto about his journey into being a ‘stringer’ and the world of automotive social media that he’s inhabited for a decade, and they get into the challenges along the way: from his complicated youth right up to the present, reconciling all the things he’s seen and believe us – it’s a lot! As for regrets? Well, he’s certainly got a few! Here he is to tell us everything. Enjoy!

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains macabre themes and graphic detail of the aftermath of road traffic accidents and other incidents that Alex has witnessed in the course of his work. Discretion is advised.

@Alex.Choi (instagram.com/alex.choi)
@BrianScotto (instagram.com/brianscotto)
@321ActionAction (instagram.com/321actionaction)

Partners:
FCP Euro
Heat Wave Visual
Wera Tools
KW Suspensions

Producer: Nick Rutter @nickrutterarts (instagram.com/nickrutterarts)
Editor: Nick Selgrath youtube.com/@not-built-for-this
Music: SlikSound (instagram.com/sliksound_schaine)

Patreon: patreon.com/u37266647

bio.site/321actionaction
podcasts@321actionaction.com

00:00 - Intro and Content Warning
01:29 - Why Alex Avoids Podcasts
05:09 - Owning the Controversy
06:36 - That Tesla Jump & Fallout
09:09 - Flock Cameras & Hoonigan Plates
14:26 - Police Chases & CHP
18:34 - Burnout on Cars as Work
22:30 - Car Collection and Secret Love for Minivans?
26:13 - Sponsor: FCP Euro
27:40 - Police Scanners - How it Actually Works
30:03 - DUI Crashes and Gaps in the System
38:31 - Night Shift Reality
39:17 - Why Chases Fascinate Us
41:57 - Cybertruck Chase Shutdown
43:44 - Going Viral on Snapchat
45:16 - GT3 Chase Car & Ballistic Doors?
50:00 - Knife Attack Close Call
52:07 - Sponsors: Heat Wave Visual, Wera Tools & KW Suspensions
53:59 - Takeovers and Police Relations
57:40 - Brotherhood Raceway Story
01:01:41 - Takeover Culture Reality Check
01:02:00 - Guns, Drugs and Nitrous
01:13:47 - Takeovers : Stolen Cars?
01:15:37 - Ford GT at a Takeover
01:16:10 - What is a Stringer?
01:17:15 - Streaming Culture - The Rush
01:19:12 - Burnout And Mental Health
01:19:50 - Where it All Started
01:21:49 - Desensitized To Death
01:28:15 - Is This Journalism?
01:35:53 - Alex’s Way into Car Culture
01:39:07 - Money And Early Fame
01:43:14 - Controversy as an Identity
01:46:48 - Tesla Jump Backlash
01:52:43 - Graphic Content Boundaries - What is Too Far?
01:56:06 - Disassociation: How Cops & EMTs Cope
01:59:19 - How to Build a Stringer Car
02:04:11 - Addicted To Pursuits
02:06:19 - TV Vs Streaming Shift
02:07:29 - Hobbies Hyperfixation
02:15:47 - Childhood Brain Tumour
02:24:19 - Car Culture Crackdowns
02:25:56 - Cops Who Love Cars
02:28:21 - Pulled Over Stories & Anti Cop Backlash
02:34:27 - Joining Forces.. With CHP?
02:36:12 - Would You Ever Have Been A Cop?
02:44:37 - Why the Hoonigan Crew All Toed the Line
02:55:57 - Permits and Safety
02:59:30 - Another Gymkhana Project?
03:03:12 - Producer Nick Patreon Interview
03:06:19 - Ferris…?