Prior to Dokkaebier, Youngwon has accumulated more than a decade of operations, finance and sales experience in the food and beverage industry in both South Korean and US markets. He has launched and distributed brands like Stolichnaya, Patron, Armand de Brignac, Agwa, and Bernini as well as opened Magnum the Tasting Room (Shinsa-dong) and Bottle Shop (Cheongdam-dong) in Seoul. Youngwon also helped to launch The Booth Brewing in the US and spearheaded their growth in California.

Youngwon enjoys giving back to the community. With Dokkaebier, he has collaborated with several SF Bay Area NPOs for donation campaigns, volunteer endeavors and meal delivery initiatives. He also serves as an Associate board member of KACF-SF.