72-Year-Old Lee Deok-hwa Announces Retirement from Officiating Weddings

In a heartfelt moment on the latest episode of Channel A's 'Current Men's Life - Groom Class' (신랑수업), 72-year-old actor Lee Deok-hwa declared his retirement from officiating weddings, stating that he would officiate the wedding of his close friend, Kim Il-woo, as his final ceremony. The episode aired on November 20, 2024, and showcased Kim Il-woo, who is currently living in Gangneung, as he prepared a special gift of homemade bread for Lee Deok-hwa while sharing his thoughts on marriage.

The episode also featured the couple Lee Da-hae and Seven, who recently attended the Macau International Film Festival. They enjoyed a romantic getaway in Macau, discussing their plans for children and deepening their connection with candid conversations. The show continues to demonstrate its popularity, achieving a viewership rating of 2.2% according to Nielsen Korea.

Kim Il-woo arrived at a bakery early in the morning, showcasing his casual fashion sense. After enjoying a cup of coffee, he effortlessly lifted a 20kg bag of flour and began preparing to bake. Having recently taken baking classes, he expressed his dedication to making the bread special, saying, "I need to put my whole heart into it since it's a gift for someone I love," which delighted the studio mentors.

After crafting heart-shaped bread and sandwiches, Kim Il-woo rushed to the seaside where he revealed that the 'loved one' was none other than Lee Deok-hwa. Known as the 'fishing enthusiast' of the entertainment industry, Lee Deok-hwa initially planned to teach Kim Il-woo how to fish, but due to poor weather, they opted to cook spicy rockfish soup instead.

While setting up a table by the beach, Kim Il-woo asked Lee Deok-hwa if fishing was a hobby that women disliked. Lee Deok-hwa humorously recounted how fishing used to be a common reason for divorce, sharing that he once took his wife to a fortune teller before their marriage to ensure she would accept his fishing habits. As they enjoyed the meal, Lee Deok-hwa playfully predicted that Kim Il-woo would get married by the end of the year, giving a thumbs up after tasting the sandwiches.

Lee Deok-hwa praised Kim Il-woo's cooking skills, suggesting that his culinary talents would make him popular with women. He encouraged Kim Il-woo to make a decision about marriage soon, emphasizing, "You can't wait any longer! Let's resolve this by the end of the year." When Kim Il-woo expressed his hesitation after 60 years of indecision, Lee Deok-hwa insisted that making a decision could take just seconds.

The conversation shifted to life advice from Lee Seung-chul, who asked the group what they would do if a beautiful, cultured woman appeared in their lives. Kim Jong-min responded cautiously, saying he needed to experience all four seasons with someone before making a commitment. Lee Da-hae then inquired about Kim Jong-min's current relationship, to which he revealed he had been dating for over two years, prompting applause when he acknowledged it was time to set a wedding date.

Reflecting on his own marriage, Lee Deok-hwa expressed gratitude and love for his wife, who stood by him during a life-threatening accident in his mid-20s. He emphasized the importance of marriage and declared, "After officiating over 300 weddings, I will retire from officiating after yours, Il-woo." He ended with a heartfelt cheer for Kim Il-woo, saying, "Take care of our Il-woo!"

Meanwhile, the episode also followed Lee Da-hae and Seven as they attended the Macau International Film Festival, where they received a warm welcome from fans. Seven performed at the event, and Lee Da-hae expressed her joy at witnessing his performance up close. After their busy schedule, the couple enjoyed a day of leisure, reminiscing about their past visits to favorite restaurants. Seven's affectionate gestures, such as feeding Lee Da-hae, highlighted their sweet relationship.

Lee Da-hae shared her feelings about being apart due to work, expressing that it sometimes brought her to tears. Seven asked how he could support her better, to which she expressed gratitude for his encouragement. Observing their bond, Kim Il-woo remarked on their ideal partnership, while Seven suggested they continue to respect and cherish each other.

As the episode concluded, the couples showcased their strong love, even as they faced the challenges of their busy schedules. 'Groom Class' (신랑수업) airs every Wednesday at 9:30 PM, featuring South Korea's aspiring grooms as they grow into admirable men and partners.