In today’s episode we welcome Melody Lorts, fellow Korean-American Adoptee, nurse (thank you, Melody!), and disc-golfing Oregonian! Melody shares about her life growing up in Oregon, connecting with Japanese culture, and eventually moving to Japan proper! She also talks to us about her initial rejection of her Korean identity and coming to terms with that in the modern chaos that is the year 2020.
Later, Melody joins us for a fun mukbang as we try mystery item #9! We also have an (un)official returning guest (THE CUTENESS!).
This is our last episode before November 3rd, election day. Regardless of where you might fall on the political spectrum, everyone here at The Janchi Show encourages you to get out and vote if you haven’t already. With 6 days left, if you haven’t made a plan to vote yet, now is as good a time as any. Use your voice, be heard, and most importantly, be safe.
// Meet Melody Lorts
Instagram / Linktree
In this episode we talk about:
- Voting! 0:00
- Adoption Story & Holt Adoption (Non) Experts: Timestamp
- Connecting with Japanese Culture, Initial Rejection of Korean Identity, & Living in Japan: Timestamp
- Why Now: The Motivation to Explore Korean Identity Today & What’s Next: Timestamp
- DJ Yang: Timestamp?
Show Resources
Voting Resources
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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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// The Janchi Show is produced by Just Like Media:
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Executive Producer: Jerry Won
Creative Director: Michelle Nam
Audio & Video Engineer: K.J. Roelke