In today’s episode, we speak with Dan Matthews, the hip-hop artist known as akaDan and fellow Korean-American Adoptee. Dan elaborates on the story of his reunion with his birth family, making the wildly popular documentary detailing his journey, and how his music evolved after that experience. He also shares his experience attending the IKAA (International Korean Adoptee Association) conference, following the first documentary with another, and what he’s working on now.
Later, we have two very special guests join us to try Haitai’s Babambars. Cold treats and laughs abound!
// Meet Dan Matthews
In this episode we talk about:
- Intro & akaDAN, the Documentary: 0:00
- Conversations with Global Korean Adoptees: 18:58
- Meeting of the Moms & Korean Weddings: 29:15
- akaDAN, Hip-Hop Artist & Who’s Doing the Work Right Now: 39:18
- BABABABABABABAMBARZZZZZZZ!: 49:44
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A Quick Janchi Show Bio
We’re three Korean-American Adoptees spread out around the country and each of us are at different stages in life. We’ll talk about the Korean-American adoptee experience and learn more about our shared culture, usually with food. And it won’t just be the three of us; each week we’ll have other adoptees from all over the world joining us to talk about what makes us similar and what makes us unique. So join the party!
// Meet the Janchi Boys!
Nathan Nowack
Nathan was adopted from Seoul and raised in a small town in Oklahoma by a loving family and adopted sister. After college in Colorado he later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a digital media career and eventually started 2 photography companies. He has a wife and 3 kids and has reconnected with his biological family in 2014.
Connect with Nathan!
- Website: http://www.nathannowack.com
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/nathann/
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/nowackphoto
Patrick Armstrong
Patrick was adopted from Seoul and raised in a small(er than Nathan’s) town in Indiana. After dropping out of college, he travelled around, working a variety of jobs before co-founding the All Times Are Local Foundation with his adopted sister in Chicago. He currently lives in Indianapolis with his fiancé and is 7 seconds into his journey of exploring his Korean-American adoptee identity.
Connect with Patrick!
- Website: http://www.alltimesarelocal.org
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin/in/patrickarmstrong219
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/patrickintheworld
K.J. Roelke
KJ was adopted from Daegu and raised in Dallas, Texas with his two biological, older siblings and his younger sister, adopted from Russia. He graduated from Greenville College and has served as the Worship & Creative Director at Schweitzer Church in Springfield, Missouri since then. He is married, with no children (yet!), and has been on his journey of discovery since 2015.
Connect with K.J.!
- Website: http://kj.roelke.info/
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin/in/kjroelke
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/kjroelke
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Executive Producer: Jerry Won
Creative Director: Michelle Nam
Audio & Video Engineer: K.J. Roelke