# Lee Deok-hwa

Lee Deok-hwa (Korean: 이덕화; born May 8, 1952) is a South Korean actor.

## Career

Lee Deok-hwa studied theater and film at Dongguk University, and made his acting debut in 1972. He and his father, movie star Lee Ye-chun starred together in the 1975 horror film The Man with Two Faces.
In 1976, Lee and actress Im Ye-jin starred in Never Forget Me and I Am Really Sorry, both movies in the "Really Really" series that dealt with teenagers' aspirations and romance. They were box office hits, and hugely popular among high school students of that generation. Lee had previously acted opposite Im in Red Shoes (1975) and continued to do so in Blue Classroom (1976), I've Never Felt Like This Before (1976), Angry Apple (1977), When We Grow Up... (1977), The First Snow (1977), The Hey Days of Youth 77 (1979), and Love's Scribble (1988).
Lee received acting recognition for his subsequent films, including three Best Actor awards from the Grand Bell Awards for Lost Love (also known as In the Name of Memory, 1989), Fly High Run Far (1991), and I Will Survive (1993). Lee also became the first Korean actor to win an award at an international film festival in 1993 when he was chosen as Best Actor at the Moscow International Film Festival for I Will Survive.
On the small screen, Lee won the prestigious Daesang (or "Grand Prize") for the contemporary drama Love and Ambition (1987) and period epic Han Myung-hoe (1994). The latter is among the many real-life historical figures that Lee has played in his prolific career, including Joseon prime minister Han Myung-hoe in Han Myung-hoe (1994), Goryeo military dictator Yi Ui-min in Age of Warriors (2003), Tang dynasty general Xue Rengui in Dae Jo-yeong (2006), Goryeo military commander Gang Gam-chan in Empress Cheonchu (2009), and King Dongmyeong of Goguryeo in The King of Legend (2010).
In 2005, Lee played Chun Doo-hwan in the television drama 5th Republic, in an ongoing series on MBC about modern Korean political history. The Fifth Republic stands for the period that Chun was in power as president, depicting how he assumed power through a military coup and was forced to resign after a series of democratic movements. The drama was controversial and provoked mixed reactions. Some viewers complained that Lee's charismatic turn as Chun was an attempt to beautify or whitewash the image of the dictator, whereas former aides of Chun accused MBC of distorting history.
Later that year, Lee was reported to be the second top earner among all actors and entertainers who appeared on the KBS network in 2004, with total earnings of ₩339 million.
He reunited with Dae Jo Yeong writer Jang Young-chul in 2010 hit drama Giant, set during the economic boom of 1970-80s Korea. He again joined Jang's follow-up along with former co-star Lee Beom-soo in the 2012 drama History of a Salaryman. The series is set upon a quirky comedy and satire of China's Chu–Han Contention against the backdrop of the pharmaceutical industry, industrial espionage, and office politics.
In 2013, Lee received glowing reviews for his turn as King Injo in the period drama Blooded Palace: The War of Flowers, shown on cable channel jTBC. At a press conference prior to airing, Lee said, "Injo is a king who acceded to the throne due to revolutionary force. He had no philosophy of his own and was just a puppet king. It is more interesting for me to portray a king that we are unfamiliar with."
Lee also hosts variety shows, notably the Korean version of Dancing with the Stars for the past three seasons.

## Other activities

Lee was president of the Korea Film Actors Association in 1995, and its chairman from 2009 to 2010. He also served as festival director for the Chungmuro International Film Festival in Seoul (CHFFIS) from 2008 to 2009.
Lee ran for Congress in 1996 under the conservative New Korea Party, predecessor of the Grand National Party, but was defeated.
He actively campaigned for Lee Myung-bak during the 2007 primaries and presidential election, making speeches at sorties and taking an advisory post for the team's art and culture policy.
In 2009, Lee, Cho Jae-hyun, Choi Soo-jong, Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Hye-soo, Ahn Sung-ki and Park Joong-hoon each taught a master class in acting at the Im Kwon-taek Film and Art College of Dongseo University. All of them then waived their lecturing fees and donated the entire amount to scholarships for young actors. Lee said he willingly accepted the request to teach because he wanted to contribute to training talented film experts for the future of the Korean film industry, and that he was happy to donate his fee to that cause.

## Personal life

Lee's father is actor Lee Ye-chun [ko] (1919–1977). His daughter Lee Ji-hyun [Ko] is also an actress.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1975 | Red Shoes | | |
| 1976 | The Man with Two Faces | | |
| 1976 | Never Forget Me | Young Soo | |
| 1976 | Let's Talk About Youth | | |
| 1976 | Seven Tomboys | | |
| 1976 | Seong Chun-hyang | Lee Mong-ryung | |
| 1976 | Blue Classroom | | |
| 1976 | I Am Really Sorry | Tae Il | |
| 1976 | I've Never Felt Like This Before | | |
| 1976 | Green Fallen Leaves | Kang Min | |
| 1977 | Angry Apple | Cheong | |
| 1977 | You Are the Moon, I Am the Sun | Seung Il | |
| 1977 | When We Grow Up... | Young Soo | |
| 1977 | The First Snow | Ki Chul | |
| 1979 | The Hey Days of Youth 77 | Kwak Du-shik | |
| 1979 | We Took the Night Train | Hyuk | |
| 1979 | Tomorrow After Tomorrow | Gyu Hwa | |
| 1979 | The Rain at Night | Hwang Sa Bin | |
| 1981 | Two Sons | | |
| 1983 | Wild Scoundrels of College | | |
| 1984 | The Companion | | |
| 1987 | A Street Musician | Jung Tae | |
| 1988 | You My Rose Mellow | Jong Hwan | |
| 1988 | Love's Scribble | Dal Ho | |
| 1989 | Lost Love | | |
| 1989 | Happiness Does Not Come In Grades | Ba Gil-hwa | |
| 1989 | Country of Fire | Baek Chan-gyu | |
| 1990 | I Stand Everyday | Jang Baek-soo | |
| 1990 | The Woman Who Walks on Water | Jae Min | |
| 1991 | Fly High Run Far | Hae Wol | |
| 1993 | I Will Survive | Man Seok | |
| 1994 | I Wish for What Is Forbidden to Me | | |
| 1994 | Life and Death of the Hollywood Kid | | |
| 1995 | The Rose of Sharon Blooms Again | President Hoo | Support Role |
| 1996 | Cue | Min Wook | |
| 2002 | Lesson | Wook Ki | Support Role |
| 2006 | Radio Star | | |
| 2011 | Sunny | | cameo |
| 2013 | Eating Talking Faucking | [Philosopher] | Support Role |

### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1980 | Ahrong-yi Darong-yi | | |
| 1981 | Embrace | | |
| 1981 | Let's Love | | |
| 1982 | Regret | | |
| 1982 | Can't Forget | | |
| 1982 | Women's History – "Seogung Mama" | Prince Gwanghae | |
| 1983 | Portrait of You | | |
| 1983 | Father and Son | In-geun | Support Role |
| 1984 | Love and Truth | | |
| 1985 | The Season of Men | | |
| 1987 | Love and Ambition | Park Tae-soo | Support Role |
| 1988 | 500 Years of Joseon – "Queen Inhyeon" | Jang Hee-jae | Support Role |
| 1989 | Happy Woman | Park Jae-sub | |
| 1989 | Migratory Bird | | |
| 1990 | The End of Love | | |
| 1991 | Do You Know Eun Ha-su | Yoon Ji-woon | |
| 1991 | Angel Na Woon-gyu | | |
| 1992 | Ambitions on Sand | No Gil-joon | |
| 1993 | Theme Series | | |
| 1994 | Han Myung-hoe | Han Myung-hoe | |
| 1997 | Woman Next Door | Lee Ho-nam | |
| 1997 | Promise | | |
| 1998 | Hong Gil-dong | Im Sung-joong | Support Role |
| 1998 | I Love You! I Love You! | Park Jong-hwan | Support Role |
| 1999 | Wave | Young-no's Uncle | Support Role |
| 1999 | Magic Castle | Wang Dae-san | Support Role |
| 1999 | LA Arirang | | Support Role |
| 2000 | SWAT Police | Park Tae-hyung | Support Role |
| 2000 | Promise | Huh Tae-heung | Support Role |
| 2000 | Cheers for the Women | | |
| 2001 | Ladies of the Palace | Yoon Won-hyung | |
| 2002 | Five Brothers and Sisters | | Support Role |
| 2003 | All In | Kim In-dal | Support Role |
| 2003 | Age of Warriors | Lee Ui-min | |
| 2004 | Into the Storm | Kim Sung-chul | Support Role |
| 2004 | My Lovely Family | Song Min-sub | Support Role |
| 2004 | First Love of a Royal Prince | President Choi Eun-chul | Support Role |
| 2005 | 5th Republic | Chun Doo-hwan | |
| 2005 | Golden Apple | Park Byung-sam | Support Role |
| 2006 | Look Back With a Smile | Lee Duk-hwa | |
| 2006 | Dae Jo-yeong | Xue Rengui | Support Role |
| 2008 | Formidable Rivals | President Kang Min-kook | Support Role |
| 2008 | Aeja's Older Sister, Minja | Han Beom-man | Support Role |
| 2008 | Hometown Legends – "Gisaeng House Ghost Story" | Kim Won-ik (Ep. 6) | |
| 2009 | Empress Cheonchu | General Gang Gam-chan | Support Role |
| 2010 | Giant | Hwang Tae-sop | Support Role |
| 2010 | Legend of the Patriots | Park Woong | |
| 2010 | The King of Legend | King Dong-myungsung | Support Role |
| 2011 | Midas | Kim Tae-sung | Support Role |
| 2011 | Spy Myung-wol | Company President Joo | Support Role |
| 2012 | History of a Salaryman | Jin Shi-hwang | Support Role |
| 2012 | 21st Century Family | Lee Duk-hwa | |
| 2012 | May Queen | Jang Do-hyun | Support Role |
| 2013 | King of Ambition | Baek Chang-hak | Support Role |
| 2013 | Blooded Palace: The War of Flowers | King In-jo | |
| 2013 | Secret Love'" | Chairman Jo Han-il | Support Role |
| 2013 | Prime Minister & I | Chairman Na | Cameo |
| 2014 | Wonderful Day in October | Lee Shin-jae | |
| 2014 | Hotel King | Lee Joong-goo | |
| 2015 | My Heart Twinkle Twinkle | Lee Jin-sam | Support Role |
| 2015 | Shine or Go Crazy | Wang Shik-ryum | |
| 2015 | Hyde Jekyll, Me | Goo Myung-han | Support Role |
| 2015 | Unkind Ladies | | Cameo (ep. 21–22) |
| 2015 | The Merchant: Gaekju 2015 | Shin Seok-joo | |
| 2016 | Monster | Hwang Jae-man | Support Role |
| 2016 | Squad 38 | Chairman Wang | Cameo |
| 2017 | Innocent Defendant | | Cameo |
| 2017 | Suspicious Partner | Byun Young-hee | Support Role |
| 2017 | Hit the Top | Lee Soon-tae | Support Role |
| 2017 | Judge vs. Judge | Do Jin-myung | Support Role |
| 2018 | Welcome to Waikiki | Joon-ki's father | Cameo (ep. 4) |
| 2018 | Nice Witch | Oh Pyung-pan | Support Role |
| 2019 | Love in Sadness | Yoon Hyung-chul [Ma Ri's father] | Support Role |
| 2021 | The Red Sleeve | King Yeongjo | Support Role |
| 2022 | Business Proposal | Chairman Kang Da-goo | Support Role |
| 2022 | One Dollar Lawyer | Baek Hyun-moo | Support Role |
| 2023 | Stealer: The Treasure Keeper | Kim Young-soo | Support Role |
| 2023 | The Escape of the Seven | Bang Chil-sung | Support Role |
| 2024 | Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born | Chae Gong-Seon's dad | Cameo |
| 2024 | Brewing Love | association chairman | Cameo |

### Variety shows

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1981-1984 | Show 2000 | |
| 1983–1985 | MBC Campus Song Festival | Host |
| 1985–1991 | Saturday Saturday is Fun | |
| 1991–1992 | Show Seoul Seoul | |
| 2010 | Chuseok Special: Story Show 부탁해요 | |
| 2011 | Special Feature: 7080 Idol Stars, King of Pop Singers | |
| 2011–2013 | Dancing with the Stars | |
| 2017–present | City Fisherman | Cast Member; Season 1–4 |
| 2021 | Hello Trot | Host with Bae Seong-jae |
| 2023 | City Sashimi Restaurant | General manager |

## Radio programs

| Year | Title | Network |
| 1982–1984 | Women Salon | KBS Radio 4 |
| 1978–1979 | Lee Deok-hwa and Im Ye-jin's Reckless Radio | TBC Radio |

## Book

* 사람을 좋아하는 사람 이덕화 (1996)

## Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination :
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 1985 | Popularity Award - TV | Love and Truth | Won |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 1987 | Popularity Award - TV | Love and Ambition | Won |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 1988 | Best Actor – Film | You My Rose Mellow | Won |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 1992 | Popularity Award - Film | Fly High Run Far | Won |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2022 | Best Supporting Actor – Television | The Red Sleeve | Nominated |
| Chunsa Film Art Awards | 1991 | Best Actor | Fly High Run Far | Won |
| Chunsa Film Art Awards | 1992 | Best Actor | Fly High Run Far | Won |
| Chunsa Film Art Awards | 1993 | Best Actor | I Will Survive | Won |
| Grand Bell Awards | 1989 | Best Actor | Lost Love | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | 1987 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Love and Ambition | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2005 | Special Award | 5th Republic | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2012 | Golden Acting Award - Actor | May Queen | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2021 | Best Achievement Award | The Red Sleeve | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2021 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | The Red Sleeve | Nominated |
| Moscow International Film Festival | 1993 | Best Actor | I Will Survive | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | 1994 | Popularity Award | Han Myung-hoe | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | 1994 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Han Myung-hoe | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | 1994 | Top Excellence Award - Actor | Han Myung-hoe | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2007 | Top Excellence Award - Actor | Dae Jo-yeong | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2010 | Best Supporting Actor in a Special Planning Drama | Giant | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2012 | Special Award, Actor in a Miniseries | History of a Salaryman | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2014 | Special Award, Actor in a Drama Short | Wonderful Day in October | Won |