KOREAN star Nathan Lee on Saturday proposed to his Chinese girlfriend Stephy Qi, who said “yes” in tears.

    This year’s Qixi Festival, also known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day, falls on the 7th day of the 7th month on the Chinese lunar calendar, which was Saturday.

    Qi, a singer and actress, was shooting a set of photos for the fashion magazine “Cosmobride” on Saipan Island, when Lee had secretly flown in her mother and best friends to arrive at the picturesque beaches to witness his proposal. Lee’s father and younger sister had also arrived from their American home to give their blessings. A brief local ceremony was later conducted for the two lovebirds.

    The romantic gesture was a hot topic on Sina Weibo over the weekend, drawing fans’ congratulations and admirations from Chinese netizens.

    Lee and Qi, both born in 1984, met during the filming of TV series “Another Me on This World” in 2012. Their romance was exposed after they were spotted watching the World Cup soccer games together in Brazil.

    Lee, having grown up in the United States, went back to South Korea to join show business at 18. A member of Korean band TAKE, he has been working on the Chinese mainland since 2009, acting in movies, TV series and live shows.

    Qi, born in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, became known after she appeared in a talent show on Oriental TV in 2006. Since then, she has acted in several TV series and released two EPs.

    Lee had a two-year relationship with Taiwanese actress Ady An before he began romancing Qi. Lee and Qi filmed a very intimate music video for her single, “Us, Us,” which was evidence of their budding romance. Later, sharp-eyed netizens spotted Lee wearing a couple’s ring like the one Qi had on Jiangsu TV’s reality show “Stars in Danger: The High Dive.” He also made a “7V” gesture before his dive, indicating his girlfriend’s nickname.

    Qi, on the other hand, had been rumored to be gay and have a girlfriend.(Li Dan)