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

South Korean author Baek Se-hee, known for her bestselling memoir “I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” has passed away at the age of 35. The Korean Organ Donation Agency announced her death on Thursday, though it did not disclose the cause. Baek’s work resonated deeply with readers, addressing mental health and personal struggles.

The memoir, published in 2018, intricately combined elements of self-help and personal narrative. It chronicles her dialogues with a psychiatrist while navigating her complex emotions, including a desire to end her life juxtaposed with her enjoyment of life’s small pleasures, such as tteokbokki, a beloved South Korean dish. The book gained immense popularity in South Korea and later achieved international acclaim after its English translation in 2022, making the Sunday Times Bestsellers List in the United Kingdom and receiving praise in the New York Times.

In her memoir, Baek candidly expressed her ongoing struggles with depression. “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,” she wrote. Her heartfelt reflections struck a chord with many readers, offering a glimpse into her battles with mental health.

In 2019, Baek released a follow-up memoir titled “I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” which continued to explore her experiences with dysthymia, a persistent low-grade depression. Born in 1990 as the second of three daughters, she pursued a degree in creative writing. Her professional journey led her to work as a social media director at a publishing house, where she began her treatment for depression and subsequently authored her memoir.

Baek’s younger sister, Baek Da-hee, honored her legacy in a statement issued through the organ donation agency. She remembered Baek as a compassionate individual who shared her heart through writing and aspired 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. I love you so much,” her sister expressed.

In a profound act of generosity, Baek donated her heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys upon her passing, ultimately saving the lives of five individuals, according to the organ donation agency.

Anton Hur, Baek’s English translator and fellow author, expressed his sorrow on social media, saying that “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 her candid discussions about mental health will continue to resonate with many, ensuring her legacy endures long after her untimely passing.