South Korean Author Baek Se-hee of I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki Passes Away at Age 35
Baek Se-hee, the acclaimed South Korean author of the memoir “I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” has passed away at the age of 35. Her notable work, released in 2018, addressed crucial conversations about mental health and struck a chord globally.
Legacy of Baek Se-hee
Baek’s memoir, which originated from her dialogues with a psychiatrist about her struggles with depression, has sold over one million copies worldwide. It has been translated into 25 languages, gaining international recognition, especially after the English version was published in 2022.
Impact on Mental Health Awareness
- The memoir has been praised for normalizing discussions on mental health.
- It uniquely captures the tension between depressive thoughts and the enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures.
- The famous quote from the book expresses this duality: “The human heart, even when it wants to die, quite often wants at the same time to eat some tteokbokki, too.”
Baek’s Contributions Beyond Writing
In addition to her literary success, Baek made an extraordinary decision to donate her organs after her passing. According to the Korean Organ Donation Agency, her donation has saved five lives. Her sister noted that Baek aimed to inspire hope and share her heart through her work.
Background and Continued Influence
Born in 1990, Baek pursued creative writing at university and spent five years in a publishing house. She battled with dysthymia, a chronic form of depression, which significantly influenced her writing. A sequel titled “I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki” was released in Korean in 2019, with the English version expected in 2024.
Baek Se-hee’s work continues to resonate deeply, inviting readers to reflect on their mental health journeys.
Support Resources
For those seeking support, organizations in the UK provide resources for mental health issues, available through the BBC Action Line. Internationally, the Befrienders website offers guidance and assistance.
