South Korean Author Baek Se-hee Passes Away 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 died at the age of 35. The news was confirmed by the Korean Organ Donation Agency on Thursday, though the cause of her death has not been disclosed. Baek’s work profoundly resonated with readers, addressing the complexities of mental health and personal struggles.

A Journey Through Mental Health

Baek’s memoir, published in 2018, explores her conversations with a psychiatrist, reflecting on her deep-seated conflicts between despair and the joy found in simple pleasures, particularly tteokbokki, a beloved South Korean street food. The book’s candid and relatable narrative quickly gained popularity, establishing Baek as a significant voice in discussions on mental health.

After its translation into English in 2022, the memoir achieved international acclaim, reaching the Sunday Times Bestsellers List in the United Kingdom and receiving recognition from the New York Times. In her writing, Baek articulated, “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.” Her reflections provided comfort to many facing similar challenges.

Continuing Her Legacy

In 2019, Baek released a follow-up memoir titled “I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” which delved deeper into her ongoing battle with dysthymia, a chronic form of depression. Born in 1990 as the second of three sisters, Baek studied creative writing at university, where she began to hone her craft.

Her younger sister, Baek Da-hee, shared a heartfelt tribute through the organ donation agency. She remembered Baek as someone who “wrote, shared her heart with others through her writing, and hoped to nurture dreams of hope.” In a poignant closing, Da-hee stated, “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.”

In an act of generosity, Baek donated her heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys, ultimately saving the lives of five individuals, according to the organ donation agency. Anton Hur, who translated Baek’s work into English, also paid tribute to her influence, noting on social media that “her readers will know she touched yet millions of lives more with her writing.”

Baek Se-hee’s legacy will continue to inspire discussions on mental health and the importance of sharing one’s story with honesty and vulnerability. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on both Korean and international literature.