1. Lee Deok-hwa studied theater and film at Dongguk University, and made his acting debut in 1972.
15 Facts About Lee Deok-hwa
1. 2.
Lee Deok-hwa had previously acted opposite Im in Red Shoes and continued to do so in Blue Classroom, I've Never Felt Like This Before, Angry Apple, When We Grow Up.
3.
Lee Deok-hwa received acting recognition for his subsequent films, including three Best Actor awards from the Grand Bell Awards for Lost Love, Fly High Run Far, and I Will Survive.
4.
Lee Deok-hwa 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.
5.
The latter is among the many real-life historical figures that Lee Deok-hwa has played in his prolific career, including Joseon prime minister Han Myung-hoe in Han Myung-hoe, Goryeo military dictator Yi Ui-min in Age of Warriors, Tang dynasty general Xue Rengui in Dae Jo-yeong, Goryeo military commander Gang Gam-chan in Empress Cheonchu, and King Dongmyeong of Goguryeo in The King of Legend.
6.
In 2005, Lee Deok-hwa played Chun Doo-hwan in the television drama 5th Republic, in an ongoing series on MBC about modern Korean political history.
7.
Some viewers complained that Lee Deok-hwa'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.
8.
Lee Deok-hwa again joined Jang's follow-up along with former co-star Lee Beom-soo in the 2012 drama History of a Salaryman.
9.
In 2013, Lee Deok-hwa received glowing reviews for his turn as King Injo in the period drama Blooded Palace: The War of Flowers, shown on cable channel jTBC.
10.
Lee Deok-hwa had no philosophy of his own and was just a puppet king.
11.
Lee Deok-hwa was president of the Korea Film Actors Association in 1995, and its chairman from 2009 to 2010.
12.
Lee Deok-hwa served as festival director for the Chungmuro International Film Festival in Seoul from 2008 to 2009.
13.
Lee Deok-hwa ran for Congress in 1996 under the conservative New Korea Party, predecessor of the Grand National Party, but was defeated.
14.
Lee Deok-hwa 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.
15.
Lee Deok-hwa 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.