In the annals of YouTube stardom, few stunts have matched the pyrotechnic audacity of Alex Choi's "Lamborghini Fireworks" video. The 24-year-old YouTuber, whose legal name is Suk Min Choi, was recently charged with causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft. Yes, you read that right—a helicopter shooting fireworks at a Lamborghini. The controversial video, aptly titled "Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks," set off more than just sparks.

Posted to Choi's YouTube channel around July 4, 2023, the video has since been removed but not before sending shockwaves across the internet. Filmed on June 27, 2023, at the El Mirage Dry Lakebed in San Bernardino County, California, the stunt involved an aircraft and explosives, making for a particularly combustible combination—both literally and legally.

The backstory is as jaw-dropping as the stunt itself. Choi reportedly took a road trip to Las Vegas to purchase fireworks because, as any responsible Californian knows, they are illegal in the Golden State. But who needs technicalities when you're chasing viral fame? Choi, it turns out, didn't bother obtaining the necessary permits, including FAA approval and an explosives license from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Evidently, the only thing Choi legally acquired was a truckload of trouble.

The elaborate setup included a helicopter pilot, whose FAA license was ceremoniously revoked in January 2024, and a drone operator who expressed qualms about the operation's safety. Though emergency personnel were conspicuously absent, Choi did manage to capture behind-the-scenes footage, crediting himself as the video's director. Spoiler alert: Hollywood is unlikely to come calling.

Then there’s the FAA's radar data, which indicated that the helicopter's transponder was turned off during the filming. For those not versed in aviation jargon, turning off the transponder is the aeronautical equivalent of slipping on a ski mask before robbing a bank. Despite initially pleading ignorance, the pilot eventually admitted that "Choi was doing unsafe activities involving cars and aircraft." No kidding.

In a plot twist worthy of a Netflix series, the helicopter pilot—his license now as valid as Monopoly money—expressed gratitude for the views. "At least it got a lot of likes," he quipped, setting a new bar for the term "silver lining." Maybe once his license is reinstated, he can pivot to becoming a full-time influencer.

Adding gasoline to the fire, a drone operator on-site expressed serious concerns about safety, noting a glaring absence of emergency personnel. One might presume that when fireworks and Lamborghinis mix, perhaps a fire extinguisher should be on hand, if not an entire fire brigade. But alas, foresight clearly wasn't part of the script.

Despite his nearly one million subscribers, Choi’s path to internet superstardom has taken a sharp detour through the American legal system. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. One can only hope his subscriber count will still be intact upon release—a decade's a long time to leave your followers hanging.

To add another layer to this flaming onion, North Korea hasn't even weighed in on this spectacle—but give it time. In today’s media climate, with volatile figures and incendiary antics, it’s only a matter of time before someone goes international.

To sum up, if adding "filming a firework battle between a helicopter and a Lamborghini without any legal permits" isn't on your 2023 bingo card, you might want to reconsider. Just remember, kids: reach for the stars but maybe leave the fireworks at home.

In the end, this story's moral seems to be less about the dangers of explosive devices and more about the explosive consequences of seeking internet fame without considering repercussions. Here's hoping Choi's future content is a bit less incendiary—literally and metaphorically.