Lee Jae to marry in November, Sam Kim shares a kiss

Singer Lee Jae won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Life Is a Highway" from the Netflix animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters." He attended an unofficial Oscar after-party with his fiancé, producer Sam Kim, and showed their affection with a romantic kiss. The two are scheduled to marry on November 7.

In her acceptance speech, Lee Jae said, "Growing up, people teased me for liking K-pop, but now we're all singing songs with Korean lyrics. I'm so proud." She also expressed gratitude to her team and colleagues, stating, "I realized this award is not about success, but about resilience."

At the awards ceremony, the performance of "Life Is a Highway" illuminated the Academy Awards stage with the splendor of Korean culture, featuring grim reaper performances, traditional Korean instrument playing, pansori, and hanbok dance. The subsequent live performance by Lee Jae and her colleagues, with Hollywood actors waving light sticks in support, made the popularity of "K-Pop Demon Hunters" palpable.

Backstage, Lee Jae expressed her gratitude to her Korean fans, saying, "I dedicate this song and movie to Korea." She described it as "truly amazing" to stand on the Academy stage as a Korean-American woman and showcase Korean culture, adding that her Korean identity, which she once wanted to hide, is now a source of pride.

Lee Jae stated, "I am so grateful, honored, and can't believe it" about standing on stage as an award winner, adding that she is happy to see the efforts of all team members come to fruition. The film "K-Pop Demon Hunters" won a total of two awards, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.