Lee Deok-hwa plays Kang Dong-sik in Netflix’s Phantom Lawyer, and his face has been showing up in Korean dramas for over five decades. The veteran actor brings deep emotion to the role of a man with Alzheimer’s who continues to struggle with his fading memory even after death. Many viewers recognize him but cannot quite place where they have seen him before. His long list of popular K-dramas explains why his face feels so familiar.
Phantom Lawyer tells the story of Shin Yi-rang, played by Yoo Yeon-seok, a lawyer who can see ghosts after moving into an old shaman’s office. The series airs on SBS TV every Friday and Saturday at 21:50 KST and streams on Netflix and Viki for global audiences. Episode 10, which aired on April 11, 2026, introduced Dong-sik’s heartbreaking case. His wife, Chae Jaeong-hee, hires Yi-rang to fight her own son over her late husband’s will. Dong-sik had Alzheimer’s before passing away, and even as a ghost, he cannot remember important parts of his life.
Lee Deok-hwa’s Most Memorable K-Drama Roles
Lee Deok-hwa has built a career spanning more than 50 years in the Korean entertainment industry. At 72 years old, he continues to take on challenging roles that show his range as an actor. His role in Phantom Lawyer stands out because it comes right after he played a completely different type of character.
Undercover Miss Hong (Netflix)
Just before appearing in Phantom Lawyer, Lee Deok-hwa played Kang Pil-beom in Netflix’s Undercover Miss Hong. This character was the complete opposite of Dong-sik. Pil-beom served as the chairman of Hanmin Investment & Securities, a ruthless businessman who put his company above everything, including his own family. He was the main antagonist of the show, and Park Shin-hye’s character Keum-bo fought to expose the corruption in his organization. Watching him go from playing such a cold villain to a confused and emotional Alzheimer’s patient shows his acting skill.
Business Proposal (SBS / Netflix)
Fans of romantic comedies remember Lee Deok-hwa from the global hit Business Proposal. He played Chairman Kang Da-goo, the grandfather of Ahn Hyo-seop’s character Tae-moo. The chairman was the reason the fake dating story started in the first place. He pushed his grandson to go on blind dates, which led to Kim Se-jeong’s character Ha-ri pretending to be her friend. His performance added humor and warmth to one of the most loved K-dramas in recent years.
Suspicious Partner (SBS)
Lee Deok-hwa also appeared in Ji Chang-wook’s drama Suspicious Partner. He played Young-hee, the adoptive father of Ji-wook. Unlike some of his other roles, this character had a positive story arc. He showed a softer, more caring side as a father figure. This drama remains popular among K-drama fans who enjoy legal thrillers mixed with romance.
Other Notable Appearances
Lee Deok-hwa has built an impressive list of credits over his long career. Some of his other well-known dramas include One Dollar Lawyer, Hit the Top (also known as The Best Hit), The Red Sleeve, and Blooded Palace: The War of Flowers. Each role showed a different side of his acting abilities. From historical dramas to modern legal shows, he has done it all.
Dong-sik’s Role in Phantom Lawyer Episode 10
The character of Dong-sik brings emotional weight to Phantom Lawyer’s latest episode. He was a successful shoe maker who built a business with his wife. But his Alzheimer’s caused him to forget his own life story. As a ghost, he possesses Yi-rang to look for his old shop. The problem is that he searches for it at an old location where the business started decades ago. He does not remember that the shop moved years before his death.
The legal case centers on his will. Dong-sik wrote that one-third of his property should go to Seon-hwa’s son. His own son does not want to follow this wish, which leads to the court battle. The episode reveals that Seon-hwa is actually still alive, adding more twists to the story. Episode 11, coming on April 17, 2026, will continue this case.
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Where to Watch Phantom Lawyer
Phantom Lawyer releases new episodes weekly. Here is the complete schedule for upcoming episodes:
- Episode 11 – April 17, 2026
- Episode 12 – April 18, 2026
- Episode 13 – April 24, 2026
- Episode 14 – April 25, 2026
- Episode 15 – May 1, 2026
- Episode 16 (Finale) – May 2, 2026
For viewers in the United States, new episodes drop on Netflix at midnight Pacific Time. United Kingdom viewers can watch from the morning of each release date. Canada and Australia also have access through Netflix. Indian viewers can stream the show with subtitles on the same platform. The show also airs on SBS TV in South Korea and is available on Viki in select regions.
Lee Deok-hwa continues to prove why he remains one of Korea’s most respected veteran actors. From playing scary villains to lovable grandfathers and now a tragic Alzheimer’s patient, he brings truth to every character. His face looks familiar because he has been part of the K-drama world for more than five decades, appearing in some of the biggest shows that fans love to rewatch.
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