Jin Akanishi's Tribute to the Late Yuri: "Her Bright Smile is Still Vivid"

Tributes are pouring in for Japanese actress Yuri Nakamura, who passed away at the age of 44 after a battle with colorectal cancer. Singer and actor Jin Akanishi, from the group KAT-TUN, expressed his heartfelt emotions by revealing a warm two-shot photo with the deceased, with whom he had appeared in a work together. Even in the moment of sharing the joy of an award, his words, which did not forget his departed colleague, moved the hearts of fans.

On the 9th, Jin Akanishi released photos from the 'Seoul International Drama Awards 2026' awards ceremony held in Seoul on his personal account. He received the 'Asia Star Award' that day for the Netflix series 'Romantics Anonymous'. Wearing a black top with a scarf and a velvet jacket, he showed his joy of winning by holding up the trophy. However, what caught the attention of fans was the short sentence he added rather than the glamorous award ceremony photos. Jin Akanishi expressed his longing for Yuri Nakamura with the words, "I hope it reaches Yuri too."

The released photo captures Jin Akanishi and Yuri Nakamura standing side by side and smiling brightly during the filming of 'Romantics Anonymous'. Yuri Nakamura, with her long hair, and Jin Akanishi exude a comfortable yet affectionate atmosphere, reminiscent of the chemistry they built in the work. The bright smile of the deceased in the photo struck a chord with viewers, overlapping with the reality that her bright smile can no longer be seen in new works.

Jin Akanishi also shared an unexpected mishap he experienced at the awards ceremony. He explained, "I had been sitting with my legs crossed, and the moment I stood up to greet people, my left leg went severely numb," adding, "To avoid being caught, I stood by putting my weight on my right foot, but my right leg trembled unbelievably throughout my acceptance speech." Nevertheless, he added, "But I am happy, so it's okay," conveying the overwhelming moment of his win. Even amidst the pleasant behind-the-scenes story, the message of tribute to the deceased remained at the center of the post.

The reaction from fans was also intense. Comments included reactions such as "It surely reached Yuri-san too," "I wanted to see more works where the two of them are together," "I cry just looking at the photo," and "A reality that is still hard to believe and accept." Some fans also recalled 'Romantics Anonymous' while reminiscing about the two's appearance and acting chemistry.

In particular, one fan expressed being moved, saying that seeing Jin Akanishi holding the trophy high at the awards ceremony felt like an act dedicated to Yuri Nakamura. Although Jin Akanishi did not explicitly explain the meaning himself, the combination of the sentence "I hope it reaches Yuri too" and the photo from when she was alive left a deep impression on fans, showing his desire to share his award with the deceased.

Yuri Nakamura passed away on the 1st of last month after a battle with colorectal cancer. She was 44 years old. As condolences from colleagues and fans continue following the news of her passing at such a young age, photos capturing her bright smile during her lifetime have brought back the memories she left behind. Jin Akanishi's short but sincere tribute delivered a heavy resonance, showing that as long as the time spent together and the works remain, the longing does not easily fade away.

Read the original (Korean)