A teenage dancer from a hit reality show has died after more than a year of illness.
Yamada Ria passed away at just 16 years of age on 18 September.
The family posted the news on her Instagram on 24 September.
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They said she faced each day with incredible strength and asked fans to keep her dance and her smile alive.
Ria was born in 2009 in Japan and became known in South Korea on Mnet’s Street Dance Girls Fighter 2 in 2023.
She entered as a solo Japanese contestant, joined Jam Republic and helped the crew win the final on 26 December that year.
She later danced with the youth dance crew Baby Jam.
In March 2025, she told followers she had a serious illness.
She said treatment would need chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant and that it could be life-threatening.
She said it was not contagious and came from a problem with her own immune system.
In July 2025, she said she was about to start chemotherapy.
Some reports later described the fight as a cancer battle because she had said chemotherapy would be needed.
She trimmed about 16 inches off her hair and paused her dancing activities.
The family did not name the illness in the death notice.
They wrote: “To everyone who has supported Ria, it is with deep sadness that we share that she passed away on 18 September.
“Throughout over a year of illness, she faced each day with incredible strength.
“Our family is deeply grateful to everyone who supported her and sent her love and encouragement.
“Ria loved to dance. She treasured the friends she made through dance and the connection she felt with everyone who followed and supported her journey.
“Thank you for dancing with her, sharing moments of joy with her, and cheering her on.
“We hope her dance and her smile will stay with you.”
Jam Republic posted: “Dear Ria, thank you for always giving your best on stage.
“You never complained. Your strength, passion and beautiful spirit will stay with us.
“Heaven has gained a beautiful angel. You will never be forgotten.”
A later report said her mother donated bone marrow twice and that Nick, the founder of Jam Republic, visited her in hospital, as reported by Need To Know.
Funeral details have not yet been released.
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