Beloved 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 35. Her heartfelt writings on mental health continue to inspire millions worldwide.
đź“– A Voice That Spoke to Millions
The literary world is mourning the loss of Baek Se-hee, the South Korean author behind the international bestseller “I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki.” She passed away at the age of 35, leaving behind a legacy that continues to bring comfort to readers battling depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
Her 2018 memoir, originally published in Korean, became a global sensation after its English translation in 2022, resonating deeply with readers for its raw honesty and emotional depth. The book, which captures her therapy conversations with a psychiatrist, has sold over one million copies and has been translated into 25 languages, according to BBC News, CNN, and Reuters.
đź’” Organ Donation: A Final Act of Compassion
The Korean Organ Donation Agency confirmed that Baek Se-hee’s heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys were donated — saving five lives. Her sister shared that Baek always wanted to “share her heart with others” not only through her writing but also through meaningful action.
Translator Anton Hur, who brought her book to English readers, posted on Instagram, “Her organs saved five lives, but her words saved millions more.”
🧠Mental Health and Hope
Baek Se-hee’s memoir, and its 2024 sequel “I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” tackled mental health stigma in South Korea and beyond. Her words — “The human heart, even when it wants to die, quite often wants at the same time to eat some tteokbokki, too” — have become a powerful symbol of hope and resilience.
Her work has been credited with normalizing mental health conversations in a culture where such topics were often silenced. Fans across the world continue to share how her writings gave them comfort, courage, and the will to keep going.
🌍 A Global Outpouring of Love
Tributes have flooded social media. Comments like “Rest softly, Baek. Thank you for saving us with your honesty” and “Your words continue to heal us” fill her Instagram page.
Baek Se-hee’s legacy will forever live on through her books, which serve as a beacon of empathy for anyone struggling with the weight of their emotions.
✨ Final Thoughts
Baek Se-hee may no longer be with us, but her spirit lives on in every page she wrote. Her words remind us that even in darkness, there’s always a reason to keep going — even if that reason is something as simple as a bowl of warm tteokbokki
