South Korean Author Baek Se-hee Dies at 35, Leaving Lasting Legacy

South Korean author Baek Se-hee, renowned for her bestselling memoir “I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” has died at the age of 35. The Korean Organ Donation Agency announced her passing on March 15, 2023, though they did not disclose the cause of death.

Baek’s memoir, published in 2018, gained significant acclaim for its candid exploration of mental health. It combined personal narrative with self-help, documenting her experiences in therapy and her struggle with feelings of despair juxtaposed against everyday pleasures, such as enjoying tteokbokki, a beloved South Korean street food. The book resonated with many readers, becoming a cultural phenomenon in South Korea and later achieving international recognition after its English translation in 2022. It reached the Sunday Times Bestsellers List in the United Kingdom and received a recommendation from the New York Times.

Impactful Reflections on Mental Health

In her writing, Baek confronted the complexities of her mental health journey. She stated, “Even when I changed all the parts of my life that I had wanted to change — my weight, education, partner and friends — I was still depressed. I didn’t always feel that way, but I would go in and out of a funk that was as inevitable as bad weather.” This honesty struck a chord with readers who faced similar challenges.

In 2019, Baek published a follow-up memoir titled “I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” which delved deeper into her ongoing struggles with dysthymia, a form of chronic depression. Her works have contributed to a broader conversation about mental health in South Korea, a society where such topics have traditionally been stigmatized.

A Legacy of Compassion

Born in 1990 as the second of three daughters, Baek studied creative writing at university. She later worked as a social media director at a publishing house, where her personal experiences with depression inspired her to write her memoirs. Following her death, her sister, Baek Da-hee, released a heartfelt tribute through the organ donation agency, describing Baek as someone who “wrote, shared her heart with others through her writing, and hoped to nurture dreams of hope.”

In a testament to her generosity, Baek donated her heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys, saving the lives of five individuals, according to the organ donation agency. This act of kindness reflects her enduring compassion for others.

Anton Hur, the English translator of Baek’s works and a fellow author, honored her memory in an Instagram post, stating, “Her readers will know she touched yet millions of lives more with her writing. My thoughts are with her family.”

Baek Se-hee’s contributions to literature and mental health awareness will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact, inspiring many to confront their struggles and seek help.