MEET THE OWNER

BRIAN SEO

A graduate from Georgia Tech, Brian brings over 8 years of restaurant, hotel, fine dining and craft bar management, operations, and executive leadership experience to fulfill his life long dream of starting his own business.

His leadership skills along with his eye for detail, and a passion for hospitality has propelled Brian through the food and beverage industry, having started as a host and worked his way to bartender, manager, and director of operations and marketing for notable restaurants and hotels in Atlanta.

After graduation, Brian worked in corporate America and eventually learned that was not the life he wanted. He worked part-time in a restaurant as a host and then worked his way up to bartender. Brian quickly worked his way up the ranks and became a manager, leveraging his degree and leadership skills to run the restaurant. Since then, he’s worked in half a dozen places in management and senior leadership roles in restaurants, fine dining, and hotels.

MAHT Korean Modern is a direct representation of Brian and his vision for Korean cuisine in Atlanta - dynamic, bold, and new - with a story to share, highlighting and redefining Korean food in the U.S.

Brian’s favorite part of the restaurant business lies in the bar. An avid cocktail enthusiast, Brian enjoys developing new cocktails behind the bar at the restaurant or at home to create cocktails that evoke memory, create new ones, and spark conversation.

Meet the Team

  • JOSEPH LE

    GENERAL MANAGER

    Joseph Le is a dedicated General Manager with extensive experience in the restaurant industry. With a background spanning operations, purchasing, and administration, Joseph brings over seven years of expertise to his role.

    He excels in optimizing restaurant operations, implementing cost-effective purchasing strategies, and ensuring seamless administrative processes. Joseph's commitment to excellence has led to significant improvements in customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

    Outside of work, he enjoys exploring culinary trends, going to music concerts, and spending time with his family and friends.

  • BABA ESTAVILLO

    HEAD OF CULINARY

    Baba Estavillo brings over 15 years of culinary expertise in roles like: executive chef, and director of food and beverage for Marriott International and other hotels and restaurants.

    Baba is an accomplished professional and dynamic leader with hands-on experience defining and driving key strategies to deliver customer satisfaction and operational excellence in the hospitality industry from restaurants, boutique hotels, and catering.

    As a chef, Baba has crafted a proven track record of identifying and delivering robust financial opportunities and a sustainable business process from the kitchen while navigating ever-changing business needs, improving operational performance, and driving top-line revenues.

  • PAUL HWANG

    HEAD OF BEVERAGE

    Paul Hwang is a seasoned professional in the food & beverage industry, blending his expertise in bartending with a rich background in restaurant management.

    As Head of Beverage, Paul brings a unique blend of creativity and precision to crafting exceptional drink experiences. His career highlights include mastering the art of mixology and partnering and curating beverage programs that elevate dining experiences.

    With a deep appreciation for his Korean-American heritage, Paul infuses cultural nuances into his creations, offering a distinctive perspective in the culinary world through the vehicle of the glass.