South Korean author Baek Se-hee dies at 35, remembered for courage and compassion
The literary world is mourning Baek Se-hee, the best-selling author best known for her memoir I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki. The Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency announced that Baek Se-hee passed away at the age of 35, with such a private loss not immediately disclosed to the public. The agency described her as a “star in the sky” for donating her heart, lungs, liver and both kidneys—an organ donation that saved five lives at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital.
Her life, work, and impact beyond the page
Born in 1990 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Baek Se-hee grew up as the middle child among three daughters. She studied creative writing in university and spent five years at a publishing company, where she began facing personal health challenges. Diagnosed with dysthymia, a persistent form of depression, she pursued therapy, a journey that would eventually become the core of her acclaimed writing. Her candid memoir published in 2018—translated into English by Bloomsbury as I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki—turned internal struggle into a bestseller, resonating with readers who sought honesty about mental health and resilience.
Baek followed that breakthrough with I want to Die but I Still Want to eat Tteokbokki the next year, further expanding her audience with a voice that paired vulnerability with wit. Her books, lauded for their intimate honesty, opened conversations about depression and seeking help, while offering encouragement to those who felt isolated by their experiences. The author’s work was not limited to solo projects; she contributed to collaborative works such as No One Will Ever Love You as Much as I Do (2021) and I Want to Write, I don’t Want to Write (2022), underscoring her versatility and commitment to storytelling that connects with readers on a human level.
A legacy of life, love, and literary courage
In announcing the donor act, the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency honored Baek’s generosity and the enduring gift of life she chose to share with others. “The love Baek shared at the end of her life—after offering comfort and hope through her heartfelt writing—has become a miracle that gives life to others,” said Lee Sam-yeol, the agency’s director. The decision to donate vital organs reflects a humane philosophy that many readers found mirrored in her writing: a belief that personal pain can inform compassion and connect people across communities and borders.
Family reflections and a call to hopeful action
Baek’s family emphasized the crowning message of her life: love, care, and a desire to help others. Her younger sister, Baek Da-hee, spoke of a sister whose kindness and lack of hatred toward others inspired hope and connection. The family’s statement honors not only Baek’s literary achievements but also the profound choices she made in living—and dying—with intention.
What the world can take from Baek Se-hee’s example
Baek Se-hee’s legacy extends beyond her books. By sharing her mental health journey openly, she helped break stigma and encouraged readers to seek support. Her decision to donate her organs highlights a practical, life-affirming contribution that will have a lasting impact on several families who received her gifts of healing. For readers and writers alike, her life stands as a reminder that storytelling can illuminate paths toward healing, and that acts of generosity can become a beacon for others in times of darkness.
