South Korea Losses a Groundbreaking Voice in Memoir Writing
The literary world is mourning Baek Se-hee, the South Korean author behind the bestselling memoir I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, who died at the age of 35. Details surrounding the death have not been publicly disclosed, but her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from readers and fellow writers who credit her with reshaping conversations about mental health in Korea and beyond.
A Memoir That Changed Conversations About Depression
Originally written in Korean and published in 2018, the author’s intimate conversations with her psychiatrist offered a candid look at living with dysthymia, a persistent form of depression. The book’s raw honesty resonated with millions and helped destigmatize discussions about mental health among a global audience. Its English translation, released in 2022, broadened its reach, turning a deeply personal narrative into a cross-cultural phenomenon.
From Personal Struggle to Global Dialogue
The memoir’s most oft-quoted line — that “the human heart, even when it wants to die, quite often wants at the same time to eat some tteokbokki, too” — captured a nuanced portrait of conflicting emotions. Baek’s ability to weave humor, ache, and everyday joy into a single thread contributed to the book’s broad appeal and its status as a reference point for conversations about mental health in households and classrooms around the world.
Legacy Through Stories and Generosity
Baek’s impact extended beyond the page. According to the Korean Organ Donation Agency, she chose to donate her organs after her death — heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys — a decision that has already saved five lives. In statements from her sister, Baek reportedly wished to share her heart through her work, continuing to offer hope even after her passing.
A Sequel and a Continued Conversation
The author’s influence persisted in Korean publishing and abroad when a sequel, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki, appeared in Korean in 2019 and later in English in 2024. The sequel continued to explore the author’s ongoing journey with mental health, offering readers a continued lens into resilience, daily life, and the bittersweetness of ordinary pleasures that make life meaningful.
Remembering a Talent and a Trailblazer
Born in 1990, Baek Se-hee pursued creative writing at university and spent five years working in publishing, a foundation that fed her distinctive voice and careful storytelling. Her work not only documented personal experience but also helped normalize mental health discussions in a time when stigma often silenced such conversations. Her legacy, reflected in both her writing and the lives saved through organ donation, will continue to influence authors, clinicians, and readers around the world.
For readers seeking support, organizations in the UK offer resources and guidance, including BBC Action Line. If you are outside the UK, Befrienders provides international support options. Baek Se-hee’s life, work, and choices remind us that storytelling can be a beacon for change, healing, and solidarity across cultures and communities. 🇰🇷
