Yuri Nakamura, a Japan-born South Korean actress known for her role in the 2025 Netflix Japanese drama "Romantics Anonymous," passed away on September 1 after a long battle with rectal cancer, her agency announced on September 14.

Nakamura’s agency, Alpha Agency, revealed that she was first diagnosed with cancer 13 years ago but chose to keep the illness private at the time. After undergoing treatment, her cancer went into remission, allowing her to resume her acting career and maintain regular health screenings. However, in January 2025, her cancer was detected again. Although she underwent successful surgery, subsequent tests revealed metastasis.

Despite her condition, Nakamura opted for treatments aimed at managing her illness in a way that would enable her to continue her work. In July 2026, she developed an intestinal obstruction, which forced her to withdraw from the NHK drama "Dangerous," originally scheduled to air in January 2027.

Her agency noted that she spent her final days surrounded by family, and her funeral was attended by close relatives and colleagues from Alpha Agency.

Born in Osaka, Japan, Nakamura came from a diverse background; her father was a third-generation Zainichi Korean—ethnic Koreans with a long history in Japan—while her mother was born in South Korea. Nakamura first entered the entertainment industry through the Japanese talent search variety show "Asayan" in 1996. She debuted as a singer in 1998 as part of the pop duo Yuri mari, alongside Mari Izawa. The duo disbanded a year later, and Nakamura took a three-year hiatus before beginning her acting career in 2003.

Over the years, she appeared in multiple films and television series, including "Love Letter From Heaven" (2007), "Like Father, Like Son" (2013), and "The 8-Year Engagement" (2017). Her recent work brought her recognition in "Romantics Anonymous," where she starred alongside Japanese actor Shun Oguri.

Nakamura’s passing marks the loss of a respected figure in the East Asian entertainment community, remembered both for her artistic contributions and her resilience in the face of illness.