Name: Jaye Hobart (she/her) / Kim Minah (김민아) 

First KATCH event: I joined KAtCH shortly after moving to Chicago in 2013 thanks to Becky Belcore’s intro. One of my first events was at Danae Kovac’s home the same year, back when KATCH was a small, humble community and events were often at people’s homes. I was quite nervous.

Where did you grow up/where do you live now?

I grew up in Iowa City, Iowa and was raised on corn, pork, and a daily glass of milk. Things have changed since then. I moved to Chicago in 2013 and lived in various neighborhoods over the years. I lived in Lakeview for about five years, Hyde Park for two years during graduate school, Buena Park during the pandemic, and currently in Lincoln Square.

Tell us about yourself:

I was born in Seoul, South Korea and entered the Holt International system on May 30, 1989 when I was eight months old. I was then referred to the home for missing children and admitted to the Green Meadow Orphanage. My file says that I was found in Namdaemun subway station (but who knows) so I’ve visited there both times that I’ve returned to Korea.

Since returning to Korea for the first time in 2023 for the IKAA Gathering, I’ve gained a deeper connection and appreciation for Korean cuisine and culture. I’m too intimidated to learn Korean.

You’ll likely KATCH me doing the following:

Having ants in my pants. I can’t sit still for too long and prefer to be busy with fun activities, friends and family, and the communities I care most about like KATCH. I get energy from connecting with genuine people and being physically active. I often go on long walks across the city, bike, and run in good weather on the weekends with my 여보. I’ve relied solely on CTA since moving to Chicago so you’ll also KATCH me commuting daily. Shoutout to my peeps who have offered me rides along the way!

My toxic traits are that I don't go to bed on time, I thoroughly enjoy Bravo reality tv, and I can smash a bag of Sterzings or Albanese candy. Feel free to psychoanalyze me.

Why do you enjoy being involved with the KATCH community?

KATCH helped me create a vibrant and wonderful life in Chicago. I deeply appreciate the KATCH founders and OG community members who kept the wheels spinning for gatherings, roundtables, and educational events that are welcoming to a newcomer like myself. Exploring your identity and heritage is a lifelong journey and an iterative process that I was struggling to start before finding KATCH. This community gave me a sense of purpose and belonging that I had never felt before and connected dots that I didn’t know needed connecting. The people I’ve met and bonded with in this community have had incredible influence on my self identity journey and have helped me sit in the discomfort of the unknown and broader perspectives on transnational adoption. These relationships eventually led me to the decision to do DNA testing and return to Korea for the first time in 2023. I’m proud to share that I found a blood relative right here in Chicago!

Favorite restaurants in Chicagoland

San Soo Gab San for Korean bbq and banchan, To Korean Cuisine for soondubu jjigae, Wild Goose for double smash burger, Clark Street Dog for onion rings, Il Milanese Ristorante on my birthday, and anywhere that serves matcha or grapefruit juice boba (fresh tapioca preferred).

Find me

Instagram for fun updates, LinkedIn for API-related updates and Facebook if absolutely necessary.