Yi Jonggi studied Agricultural Chemistry at Seoul National University. After starting work at Dongyang Beer in 1980, he began developing a number of famous liquors in Korea. In 1992, in order to expand his world of liquor, he began studying brewing and distilling at Hariot-Watt University's graduate school. 
He has held the position of vice president at Doosan Seagram's and Diageo Korea and in 2005, and he opened the world liquor museum, "Liquorium," near Tangeumho Lake in Cheongju. He currently teaches liquor-making at Department of Food Science, Yeungnam University. 

He is also a member of the World Institute of Brewing, chairman of the Whiskey Society of Korea, executive of the Korean Traditional Liquor Association, and executive of Korean Wine Producer Association, and works as an adviser for many liquor companies.