Zheng Lücheng

Zheng Lücheng () or Chong Ryul-song (; 27 August 1914 – 7 December 1976) was a Korean-born Chinese composer. Born during the period of Japanese colonial rule in Korea, Zheng moved to China in the 1930s, where he became active in the anti-Japanese resistance and joined the ranks of progressive intellectual and cultural circles. Over the course of his career, he created numerous military marches, operas and choral works with Chinese revolutionary themes. His most notable work is the composing of the music to the Military Anthem of the People’s Liberation Army. Early life Zheng was born Chŏng Puŭn () in the city of Gwangju in Zenranan Province, Korea, Empire of Japan (now South Korea) in 1914. He was the youngest in his family and loved music from an early age. His father, Chŏng Haeŏp (), opposed the corruption of the Korean nobility and left the , later working for a respected official’s family. Zheng’s older brothers were deeply involved in the Korean independence movement. Zheng’s father was a patriot who refused to send him to Japanese-run schools, instead enrolling him in progressive private schools. After his father’s death in 1931, his family decided to send Zheng to China. In