Modern lyric poet widely known for "Hyangsu" (Nostalgia)
| Life | 1902 ~ 1950 |
| Era | 근현대 |
| Clan | 연일 정씨 |
Jeong Ji-yong, born to a family of traditional herbal medicine practitioners in Okcheon, North Chungcheong Province, is regarded as a foundational figure of modern Korean lyric poetry, known for works such as "Hyangsu" (Nostalgia). He studied English literature at Doshisha University in Kyoto, converted to Catholicism in 1928, and helped launch younger poets like Jo Ji-hun and Park Du-jin as a judge for the literary magazine Munjang.
After Korea's liberation he taught at Ewha Womans University, but disappeared in Seoul during the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950—accounts differ as to whether he was abducted north or killed in bombing near Mount Soyo. His work was banned for decades over suspicion of defection before being officially rehabilitated in 1988.