Korean author Baek Sehee, known for I Want To Die But I Want To Eat Tteokbokki, passes away at 35.
The literary world is mourning the loss of Baek Sehee, the acclaimed South Korean author whose candid reflections on mental health touched millions of readers worldwide. Baek, best known for her bestselling memoir I Want To Die But I Want To Eat Tteokbokki, passed away at the age of 35, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, honesty, and emotional courage.
A Voice for the Silent Struggle
Baek Sehee’s rise to prominence came in 2018 when she published her debut work, I Want To Die But I Want To Eat Tteokbokki. The memoir struck a rare balance—raw yet comforting, intimate yet universally relatable. It chronicled Baek’s real-life therapy sessions with her psychiatrist as she navigated dysthymia, a chronic form of mild depression.
Through her words, Baek Sehee offered readers an unfiltered look into her thoughts, emotions, and fears, giving language to feelings that many had long struggled to express. Her vulnerability broke cultural barriers, opening up discussions on mental health in South Korea, where the topic often remains taboo.
The title itself became symbolic—an honest reflection of life’s contradictions. “The human heart, even when it wants to die, quite often wants at the same time to eat some tteokbokki, too,” Baek wrote, reminding readers that small joys, like a favorite meal, can coexist even in moments of despair.
From Local Phenomenon to Global Bestseller
Originally written in Korean, I Want To Die But I Want To Eat Tteokbokki gained immense success in South Korea before being translated into over 25 languages. When the English edition, translated by Anton Hur, was released in 2022, Baek Sehee’s voice reached an even broader audience.
Her story resonated with readers from London to Manila, from New York to Seoul, as people found comfort in her honesty and courage. The book has since sold more than one million copies worldwide, making Baek one of South Korea’s most influential contemporary authors.
A Legacy of Empathy and Healing
Following her passing, tributes to Baek Sehee flooded social media. Fans thanked her for helping them through their darkest times. “Rest softly,” one message read. “Thank you for saving us with your honesty.” Another fan wrote that each time they revisited her memoir, they found “deep comfort in every sentence and grew alongside it.”
Her translator, Anton Hur, also expressed his sorrow, noting that while Baek’s donated organs saved five lives, her writing “touched millions more.” Indeed, Baek Sehee’s decision to donate her heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys speaks volumes about her selflessness and enduring desire to help others, even in death. The Korean Organ Donation Agency confirmed that her generosity gave new life to five people—a profound act of compassion consistent with the themes of empathy and healing that defined her work.
The Woman Behind the Words
Born in 1990, Baek Sehee studied creative writing in university and later worked in a publishing house for five years. This background gave her a deep understanding of both storytelling and the business of books. But beyond her professional journey, she was a person searching for meaning, navigating mental health challenges while using her creative voice as a lifeline.
For nearly a decade, Baek lived with dysthymia, which inspired the creation of her first book. Her follow-up, I Want to Die But I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki, was published in Korean in 2019, with the English translation released in 2024. The sequel continued her conversation on resilience, showing readers that healing is not a single moment but a lifelong process.
Changing the Conversation Around Mental Health
Baek Sehee’s greatest contribution was not only literary—it was social. Her work normalized conversations about depression, anxiety, and therapy in a country where seeking mental health help has often been stigmatized.
By sharing her therapy transcripts and internal dialogues, she showed that vulnerability is not weakness but strength. She made it possible for young readers—especially in Asia—to acknowledge emotional pain without shame. Her memoir inspired countless discussions, podcasts, and reading circles dedicated to mental health awareness, particularly among women in their 20s and 30s who saw themselves reflected in her pages.
A Symbol of Courage and Compassion
What made Baek Sehee’s writing remarkable was her ability to find beauty in contradiction. She revealed that one could feel hopeless yet crave something sweet; that despair and desire can exist side by side. Her philosophy—that life’s smallest pleasures can coexist with sadness—offered solace to those who often felt misunderstood.
Tributes and Reflections
Since the news of her passing, fellow authors, translators, and mental health advocates have paid tribute to Baek Sehee’s impact. Many described her as a writer who gave permission for people to speak their truths.
Bloomsbury Publishing, which handled the English release of her memoir, praised her as a “writer who changed how we talk about emotional pain.” Her editor described working with her as “a lesson in empathy and honesty,” noting that Baek’s words would continue to reach readers for generations.
A Lasting Light
Though Baek Sehee is gone, her legacy remains alive in the millions who found comfort in her writing. Her books continue to serve as gentle companions for anyone who has ever felt lost, lonely, or unworthy. Through her pages, she offered a form of quiet companionship—reminding readers that even in darkness, there is warmth to be found.
In her sister’s words, Baek wanted “to share her heart with others through her work and to inspire hope.” She succeeded beyond measure. Her story—a blend of pain, reflection, and kindness—will continue to heal hearts long after her passing.
As the world remembers Baek Sehee, we also remember her message: that to live, even imperfectly, is still a victory. That to crave something as simple as tteokbokki, even when the world feels heavy, is proof that a spark of life remains within us all.
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