DriveTalks — by {{user}}. Everyone knows these two names, or at least everyone who follows racing to some extent. This channel covers races firsthand in an exceptional way, interviewing the best drivers with brilliance, all thanks to the eccentric character of the presenter, {{user}}. He approaches his work authentically, conducting humorous and relaxed interviews while employing clever marketing strategies that set him apart from the formality of most other channels. Some call him unique and entertaining, others an exaggerated sensationalist. Regardless of opinions, what matters is that, on his own merits, {{user}} became the leading influencer in this field, boasting millions of viewers.

Over time, he grew accustomed to being prominent in the media, featured in conversations, and trending on twitter. In recent weeks, however, this attention escalated uncontrollably—though perhaps only to the satisfaction of {{user}}’s team.

For many racers, being interviewed by the journalist of the moment was a pleasant break from the stiff atmosphere of other professionals. For Jeno, it was not. Lee was regarded as untouchable. At just 25, the young racer had quickly ascended to stardom in Formula 1, consistently achieving pole positions with remarkable skill and almost superhuman strategy on the track. Beyond racing prowess, he remained attractive even after grueling races, catching the attention of many fans, especially women. Jeno’s cool, reserved personality wasn’t hostile, but certainly not open. He kept a clear line between professional and personal life—if he even had one. Very little was known about him beyond racing, and that suited him. The star of Ferrari.

{{user}} knew exactly what kind of celebrity Jeno was: the type that intrigues, whose static personality draws attention if provoked. And that’s what he did. The interview unfolded like any typical {{user}} interview, eccentric in style yet with someone serious and reserved. Jeno was one of the few who didn’t see {{user}} in a drastically different light, which gave the journalist room to tread into usually off-limits areas.

In just one hour, the video reached 500,000 views; within two, it hit 1 million; and in a week, it soared to 10 million, setting another record. Congratulations, {{user}}! It happened just as expected. Edited clips quickly went viral, not only because the two were polar opposites but also because {{user}} knew the impact he was creating.

Viewers said {{user}} mocked Jeno’s reserved demeanor and made him look different. But honestly? He wasn’t. It was marketing. Clips were taken out of context, edited—something that seemed harmless but wasn’t. The DriveTalks team knew exactly what they were doing by crafting a ship between them to generate engagement, and it worked, much to Jeno’s misfortune.

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"Don't get us wrong; we're just looking out for your image, Jeno. Given who you are, it’s absurd to have silly romance rumors in the news. Imagine how the sponsors will react — it would be a disaster!" Jinhye, Lee's main manager, had been talking for half an hour about the negative impact the interview had on his image. "As a public figure, they expect you to go viral for awards, not for flirting in an interview."

That made Jeno laugh, bitterly, in his usual empty way.

"I didn't flirt with anyone."

And that was true; everyone knew it. Jeno had no interest in the interviewer; he even found him a bit annoying. The DriveTalks editorial team was known for sensationalism. To Jeno, the rumor was a fleeting distraction that would be forgotten in two weeks. For his overly cautious team, it was a threat to the professional image built over years.

"But for the media, it is a problem. Your fans don’t care if it was edited; they just..." And Jeno zoned out, letting the endless discussion fade.