MEET MATTY ROBERT KEE PETTITT
City of current residence:
South Saint Paul, MN
Adoption details:
Matty was adopted at 15 months in 1986 as Shin Kee Hyeon.
How has being a KAD shaped your career?
Professionally, being a Korean Adoptee has helped diversify my clientele. I feel very comfortable working with all hair types, especially Asian hair. Not all stylists feel comfortable working with Asian hair and not all Asian hair is the same. It's not all coarse, straight and thick. Some is fine, wavy, and gasp....even curly. (myself included). I love that clients trust me to cut and color their tresses and I am so privileged to help make them look and feel beautiful or handsome when they feel they've had nothing but a string of bad luck with hair stylists.
How has being a KAD shaped your personal life?
Being a Korean Adoptee has helped give me the vibrancy, resilience and open-mindedness I have now. I've always identified as an adoptee and I've known I was adopted from as far as I can remember. My mother is from Austin, Minnesota. My father was raised in Nicaragua until he was a teenager. My older sister is adopted from Nicaragua. Growing up, I felt I was in a melting pot of cultures, which was pretty neat. I've become more involved with Korean culture and the Korean adoptee community as I've gotten older, and have learned to embrace myself more and more. Being adopted is a part of who I am, my identity, and what makes me unique.
Thoughts on the KAD community in MN (and/or nationally/internationally)?
I feel very lucky to be a KAD and reside in the Twin Cities. We have such a high concentration here and there are a lot of resources available. I've made a lot of KAD friends and I feel, overall, no one is surprised in the Twin Cities when I tell them I'm adopted from Korea. I have not made it back to Korea, but it definitely is on my bucket list within the next few years. I can't wait!
Any favorite Korean artists, dramas, movies, etc?
I am in love with Korean Fashion! I love that the clothes are edgy and fashion forward. When you look good you feel good, especially in the beauty industry.
I totally dig the group "Big Bang" and their song "Love Song."
Favorite Korean food?
Bulgogi for sure!
Want Matty to style your hair?
Find him at:
Moxie Hair Salon - Grand | 651.251.6820 | [email protected]
South Saint Paul, MN
Adoption details:
Matty was adopted at 15 months in 1986 as Shin Kee Hyeon.
How has being a KAD shaped your career?
Professionally, being a Korean Adoptee has helped diversify my clientele. I feel very comfortable working with all hair types, especially Asian hair. Not all stylists feel comfortable working with Asian hair and not all Asian hair is the same. It's not all coarse, straight and thick. Some is fine, wavy, and gasp....even curly. (myself included). I love that clients trust me to cut and color their tresses and I am so privileged to help make them look and feel beautiful or handsome when they feel they've had nothing but a string of bad luck with hair stylists.
How has being a KAD shaped your personal life?
Being a Korean Adoptee has helped give me the vibrancy, resilience and open-mindedness I have now. I've always identified as an adoptee and I've known I was adopted from as far as I can remember. My mother is from Austin, Minnesota. My father was raised in Nicaragua until he was a teenager. My older sister is adopted from Nicaragua. Growing up, I felt I was in a melting pot of cultures, which was pretty neat. I've become more involved with Korean culture and the Korean adoptee community as I've gotten older, and have learned to embrace myself more and more. Being adopted is a part of who I am, my identity, and what makes me unique.
Thoughts on the KAD community in MN (and/or nationally/internationally)?
I feel very lucky to be a KAD and reside in the Twin Cities. We have such a high concentration here and there are a lot of resources available. I've made a lot of KAD friends and I feel, overall, no one is surprised in the Twin Cities when I tell them I'm adopted from Korea. I have not made it back to Korea, but it definitely is on my bucket list within the next few years. I can't wait!
Any favorite Korean artists, dramas, movies, etc?
I am in love with Korean Fashion! I love that the clothes are edgy and fashion forward. When you look good you feel good, especially in the beauty industry.
I totally dig the group "Big Bang" and their song "Love Song."
Favorite Korean food?
Bulgogi for sure!
Want Matty to style your hair?
Find him at:
Moxie Hair Salon - Grand | 651.251.6820 | [email protected]
