# Songwriter Behind Cho Yong-pil's 'Sangcheo' Jang Kyung-soo Dies at 73

- URL: https://unnienote.app/en/news/jang-kyung-soo-songwriter-dies-at-73-f8273b
- Published: 2026-10-29T19:46:46.397Z
- Publisher: Unnie Note

> Jang Kyung-soo, the lyricist behind Cho Yong-pil's 'Sangcheo' and Song Dae-kwan's 'Jeong Ttaemune', died of liver cancer on October 29, according to his family.

## Key points

1. Jang wrote more than 1,300 songs over his career.
2. He served as 9th president of the Korea Song Writers Association.
3. A memorial song festival in his hometown Sokcho was canceled due to his health.

## Who was Jang Kyung-soo?

Jang Kyung-soo, born in 1953 in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, was one of Korea's most prolific lyricists. He debuted in 1977 with lyrics for Yoon Soo-il's 'Kkumiyeotnabwa', composed by Ham Jung-pil. Over the following decades he wrote hits across ballads, adult contemporary, rock and dance music.

## What songs did he write?

| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| 'Sangcheo' | Cho Yong-pil |
| 'Jeong Ttaemune' | Song Dae-kwan |
| 'Kkomainhyeong' | Choi Jin-hee |
| 'Cheonnyeon Bawi' | Park Jeong-sik |

According to his family, he wrote more than 1,300 songs in total.

## How did he die?

The family said Jang died of liver cancer on the morning of October 29 after a period of treatment. He had appeared on television in recent years, including a 2018 KBS 2TV episode of 'Immortal Songs' and a MBN program in September of the previous year, where he spoke about collapsing during a recording session.

## Funeral details

The funeral hall is Myongji Hospital Funeral Hall in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The funeral procession is scheduled for October 31 at 6:30 a.m., according to Yonhap News Agency.

## For international fans

Cho Yong-pil is one of Korea's most influential singers, and 'Sangcheo' remains a classic many Korean listeners know by heart. Jang's catalog spans several generations of Korean pop, making his work a useful entry point for fans exploring 1980s and 1990s K-pop and trot.

## FAQ

### What is Jang Kyung-soo best known for?

Jang is best known as the lyricist of Cho Yong-pil's 'Sangcheo' and Song Dae-kwan's 'Jeong Ttaemune', among more than 1,300 songs he wrote.

### What was the cause of death?

According to his family, Jang died of liver cancer after a period of treatment.

### When is the funeral procession?

The funeral procession is scheduled for October 31 at 6:30 a.m., according to Yonhap News Agency.

## Sources

- [Yonhap News](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20261029124500005)

_Written and translated with AI from official announcements and Korean media reports. If something is wrong, please let us know._