According to local media such as Nikkan Sports on December 6, actress Miho Nakayama was found dead in her residence. A representative from her agency, unable to reach her, is said to have gone to her home and discovered her passed out in the bathtub of her bathroom.
No suicide notes or drugs were found at the scene and police are currently investigating the circumstances of his death.
A notice on Miho Nakayama’s official website announced the cancellation of a show that was supposed to take place in Osaka that day. The statement read: “We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused to fans who have been waiting. All ticket reservations will be cancelled.”
A multi-talented actress and singer, Nakayama gained enormous popularity in Korea for her role in Shunji Iwai’s 1995 film “Love Letter.” When it was released in Korea in 1999, the film attracted 1.4 million viewers and has been re-released several times over the years.
The film is a classic romantic drama in which Hiroko (played by Nakayama), mourning the loss of her first love Itsuki in an accident, sends a letter expressing her wish. He unexpectedly receives a response from another Itsuki, rekindling memories of his first love.
Nakayama’s iconic scene, in which she desperately shouts: “Ogenkidesuka, watashi wa genkidesu,” (roughly translated to “How are you? Yes, I’m fine”) set against the backdrop of the snowy expanse of Hokkaido, is remembered as a masterpiece and has even been parodied in Korean comedy.
In addition to “Love Letter,” Nakayama has also starred in films such as “Sayonara Someday,” “I Have to Buy New Shoes” and “Butterfly Sleep,” as well as dramas including “Love Story,” “Platonic” and “Be -Bop High School”.
She was married to famous author Hitonari Tsuji, but the couple divorced in 2014 after 12 years of marriage.
Source: Nate, Daum
