K-pop Meets 007 at the Oscars

At the 97th Academy Awards, Blackpink's Lisa made history as the first K-pop artist to perform at the Oscars. The tribute to James Bond began with a tango by Margaret Qualley, followed by Lisa's stunning musical montage featuring Doja Cat and Raye, showcasing her new single "Born Again."

The Thai singer and actor, also known as Lalisa Manobal, brought a powerful rendition of the 1973 Bond film Live and Let Die theme. This was followed by Doja Cat’s rendition of Shirley Bassey’s legendary “Diamonds Are Forever” from the 1971 film. Raye completed the tribute with her performance of “Skyfall” from the 2012 film, a song originally sung by Adele that went on to sweep awards like the Oscar for Best Original Song and multiple Grammys.

Halle Berry, who famously played the character Jinx in Die Another Day (2002), paid homage to Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the longstanding producers of the Bond franchise. "They don’t just produce Bond movies, they were the heart and soul of the franchise for decades," she remarked, highlighting the timeless allure of the iconic spy.

Despite the glitzy tribute, the performance left some Oscars viewers scratching their heads. "I’m a huge James Bond fan, but unless they are announcing the new Bond, I don’t see the point," one user tweeted. Another person shared their confusion: “Why are we honoring Bond with no new movie and no updates on the next film?”

While some fans questioned the tribute's relevance, many praised Lisa’s star power. “My jaw dropped! Look at her burning up the Oscars stage gracefully. Oh my god, Lisa, you’re such a great performer!” one fan tweeted. Yet, not all reactions were positive. Some criticized her vocal abilities, stating, "The Oscars could have brought in Adele and Sam Smith, who’ve won Oscars for their Bond songs, but they picked Lisa, who has zero vocal ability. Raye is the only talented one of the trio."

As the awards ceremony moved forward, the competition for the night’s biggest honors remained tight, with Sean Baker’s Anora, Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, and Conclave all battling for supremacy. In the end, Anora emerged victorious, claiming five Oscars, including Best Picture.

Demi Moore and Timothée Chalamet were strong Oscar contenders, but Mikey Madison won Best Actress, and Adrien Brody claimed his second Best Actor Oscar for "The Brutalist".