South Korean Author Baek Se-hee Dies at 35, Donor of Five Organs
The literary world is mourning the loss of Baek Se-hee, the South Korean writer whose candid memoirs about depression and resilience touched countless readers. The Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency confirmed on Oct. 17 that Baek, aged 35, passed away and had donated her heart, lungs, liver and both kidneys to save five lives. The agency described her as a “star in the sky” for her selfless act, a final form of care that extended beyond her writings.
The cause and exact date of Baek’s death were not disclosed in the public statement, but the tribute from the organ donation organization emphasized the profound impact of her gift. “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, director of the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency. This solemn message echoes Baek’s ongoing legacy as a writer who turned personal struggle into universal empathy.
A Life Shaped by Mental Health and Writing
Baek Se-hee was born in 1990 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, as the second of three daughters. Her early life took a turn toward creative exploration when she studied creative writing at university and spent five years at a publishing company. It was during this period that she grappled with dysthymia, a persistent form of depression, and began therapy. The intimate discoveries from this journey formed the core of her breakthrough memoir, I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, published in 2018.
The book, renowned for its unflinching honesty and accessibility, charted Baek’s personal battles with mental health, while simultaneously highlighting resilience and the possibility of finding meaning in small comforts—like the beloved Korean dish tteokbokki. The raw candor resonated with readers around the world and helped demystify the quiet agony that can accompany depression.
Expanding Influence Through Follow-Ups and Collaborations
Baek followed her debut success with I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki the following year, further cementing her status as a voice for those who feel marginalized by mental health stigma. Both books were translated into English and published by Bloomsbury, widening her audience beyond South Korea’s borders. Her work often blended personal narrative with broader reflections on society, culture, and the pressures faced by younger generations.
Beyond her solitary writings, Baek collaborated with fellow authors on titles 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). These projects underscored her commitment to storytelling as a form of healing and connection, offering spaces for readers to confront difficult emotions with honesty.
A Lasting Legacy: Compassion Through Generosity
Baek’s death highlights a remarkable arc—from a writer who shared intimate struggles to a donor who saved five lives with her heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. The Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency honored her generosity, bringing public attention to the impact of organ donation and the gift-of-life ethos that underpins such acts. The director’s remark about Baek’s end-of-life generosity serves as a poignant reminder that art and altruism can intertwine, creating ripples of hope long after a creator’s final chapter.
What Baek Se-hee Meant to Readers
For many readers, Baek’s memoirs provided a voice in the silence that can accompany mental health struggles. She offered not just a narrative of pain but a map toward compassion, urging society to listen, understand, and support those who are navigating depression. Her words gave comfort, and her actions—especially her decision to become an organ donor—embodied a belief in the value of human connection that extends beyond the page.
A Note from Family and Close Friends
Baek’s sister, Baek Da-hee, shared a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on a sister who loved writing, connected with others’ hearts, and nurtured dreams. “Knowing her kind heart that loved so much and could not hate anyone, I hope she can now rest peacefully in heaven. I love you so much.” The family’s words reinforce the personal side of a public figure who used storytelling to touch lives and who chose to give the ultimate gift in life’s final act.
As Baek Se-hee’s writing continues to reach new readers through translations and future editions, her legacy will endure—an enduring reminder that vulnerability can empower others, and generosity can transform grief into life-giving hope.
