Bestselling Author Baek Se-hee of I Want To Die But I Want To Eat Tteokbokki Passes Away at 35
Baek Se-hee, a renowned South Korean author, has passed away at the age of 35. The Korean Organ Donation Agency confirmed her death, though the cause remains undisclosed.
About Baek Se-hee
Baek Se-hee was celebrated for her bestselling memoir, “I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki.” This poignant work, published in 2018, blended memoir and self-help, exploring the complexities of her mental health journey. The book detailed her conversations with her psychiatrist, addressing her struggles with depression while also finding joy in small pleasures like tteokbokki, a beloved Korean street food.
Impact and Recognition
The memoir became immensely popular in South Korea and gained international acclaim following its English translation in 2022. It made it onto the Sunday Times Bestsellers List in the UK and received a recommendation from the New York Times.
- First publication: 2018
- English translation: 2022
- UK Bestsellers List: Sunday Times
- New York Times recommendation: Yes
Baek’s candid writing resonated with readers, addressing her battles with depression. In her reflections, she shared, “Even when I changed all the parts of my life that I had wanted to change… I was still depressed.” She authored a second memoir in 2019, “I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” which continued her exploration of living with dysthymia.
Legacy
Baek, born in 1990, was the second of three daughters. She pursued creative writing at university and later worked as a social media director at a publishing house, where her mental health journey began. Her younger sister, Baek Da-hee, honored her memory, stating that Baek shared her heart through writing and aimed to inspire hope.
“I know her kind heart, one that loved so much and hated no one, so I hope she now rests in peace in heaven,” her sister expressed.
Organ Donation
In a touching act, Baek donated her heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys, ultimately saving five lives. Her English translator, Anton Hur, praised her, stating, “Her readers will know she touched yet millions of lives more with her writing.”
Baek Se-hee’s contributions to literature and her openness about mental health will leave a lasting impact on countless individuals. Her work continues to spark important conversations about mental well-being and the complexities of life.
