Beloved actress Yuri Nakamura has passed away at 44, after a secret battle with cancer.
Yuri Nakamura | @yurinakamurawoori/Instagram
On September 14, KST, the actress’s agency released an official statement, informing fans that Nakamura had passed away on September 1, after battling rectal cancer. Her funeral was held by close family members, co-actors from the same agency, and the staff members who worked alongside her.
The agency also revealed that Nakamura had first been diagnosed with cancer 13 years ago, and she had chosen to keep it a secret from the public, as well as industry peers. She was able to fight the illness and achieve remission, after which she continued her acting career.
In January 2026, the disease came back, and though she underwent surgery successfully, the cancer had metastasized. A full recovery was deemed to be difficult, so the actress focused on living a fulfilling life for as long as possible. Her attending physician also encouraged her to keep working.
In August this year, while preparing for her comeback, Nakamura suffered an intestinal obstruction. The prognosis said she had limited time left. The actress reportedly spent her final moments with her family and closed loved ones.
Yuri Namakura (far left) in Romantic Anonymous | Netflix
Nakamura’s acting career, which spans over two decades, includes movies such as Motherhood and Ichiko. She was also a part of some successful dramas, including the Netflix series Romantic Anonymous, where she acted alongside actress Han Hyo Joo. As a fourth-generation Korean resident of Japan (Zainichi Korean), the actress had admirers in both countries, who are left mourning her tragic passing.