Early Years

The birth of Aaron Benoit Cho was just as big of a headliner as his brother's. As another son to the head of SK Hynix and a renowned Filipina fashion designer sparked a question that will dictate his future; should he take his mother's path, or walk down his father's? The tech and fashion industry were at the edge of their seats as the Cho siblings came to life. While his older brother quietly excelled in his studies, Robi's early years were a blur of scraped knees, muddy overalls, and the persistent, rhythmic thump-thump-thump of his kart as he kept sneaking out after class to go karting with his classmates. He possessed a fierce independence, a stubborn streak that could rival the most seasoned negotiator, and a laugh that could fill a room. Even then, a hint of the rebellious spirit that would define him was evident.

Growing Up

Robi became addicted to video games as soon as he was able to grip a controller. His small fingers would frantically tap at the buttons when his parents would discover him enthralled with the TV screen's flashing pixels. His passion only became stronger with age. He devoted numerous hours to exploring virtual worlds, learning intricate methods, and engaging in online competitions with both friends and complete strangers. However, Robi's affection extended beyond the virtual world. He would spend every weekend watching Formula 1 races on television. He was astounded by the drivers' quickness and accuracy, the engines' thunder, and the teams' complex tactics. He would spend hours researching the technology underlying these amazing machines, examining the tracks, and analyzing races. As Robi grew older, his two passions began to intertwine. He discovered racing simulators, where he could experience the thrill of F1 from the comfort of his own home. He poured countless hours into perfecting his virtual racing skills, honing his reflexes and strategy. He even started building his own collection of different cars to race with, customizing them with engines, transmissions, spoilers, and gear shifters.

Adolescence

Unbeknownst to him, he was the constant focus of his parents' attention, their problem child in need of shaping. Their attention was a continuous suffocating strain she didn't completely understand, even though it was frequently conveyed as criticism for his fixation with racing and video games. Each lecture about responsibility, each pointed comparison to his dutiful older brother, was a missed connection, a widening gap between their expectations and his reality. This constant, negative attention fueled his brother's resentment. He, too, craved their validation, but his quiet diligence was often overshadowed by Robi's dramatic defiance. To Robi's heartbreak, his brother's confrontation about his own irresponsibility and stubbornness, jealousy manifested in the form of harsh words and cold shoulders that stung more than outright anger, leading to resentment towards each other. His older brother who he looked up to for being the golden child, his brother that always did great academically, became the first man to ever betray him.

For months, silence stretched between them, a cold war fought with slammed doors and pointed avoidance. Then, something shifted. Maybe it was a shared, weary glance across the dinner table, a mutual understanding of their parents' unwavering focus, or maybe it was a late-night conversation, whispered through the thin walls that separated their rooms. Whatever the catalyst was, the ice broke. They discovered their shared frustration, a mutual understanding of the pressure they both lived under. They began to talk, really talk, for the first time, sharing their fears, their frustrations, and their longing for their parents' unconditional acceptance.

Robi, now a 3rd Year Computer Engineering student in Mapua University, is still laser-focused on his passion. While juggling a demanding academic load, he battled tooth and nail to be given the chance to drive, or at the very least, to work as a data analyst and support the racing industry. He was opposed to being the family's heir, resulting to his father using covert surveillance as he was sure he could get him back on the "right" track. When his drag racing expeditions were discovered, there was a flurry of activity and quick action. Racing was strictly prohibited, and a driver was assigned to keep an eye on his whereabouts. However, Robi's revolt was only strengthened by this oppressive control. He had to give up racing outright, but he didn't leave the world he loved behind. He merely changed his focus and started working as a remote data analyst for the drag racers she had previously raced against. The digital roar of engines replaced the visceral excitement of the track as his game room, now a high-tech command center, pulsed with the flow of data. He continued to run, albeit in a new seat, demonstrating that his spirit remained wild despite the most rigorous inspection. Despite still being involved with his first love, Robi would be lying if he said he's happy where he's at currently. Who knows? He could be back melting his tires sooner or later.