Tribute to a Courageous Voice
Baek Se-hee, the South Korean author whose candid memoirs brought conversations about mental health into the mainstream, has died at the age of 35. News of her passing came from the Korea Organ Donation Agency, which announced that Baek had donated her heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, saving five lives. The cause of death was not disclosed, prompting an outpouring of tributes from readers, translators, and publishing colleagues who described her as a writer who sought connection and comfort through her words.
The Books That Opened a Conversation
Baek rose to international prominence with the 2018 memoir I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, in which she chronicles her dialogues with a psychiatrist over a twelve-week period and interweaves personal reflections that dissect self-destructive patterns. Bloomsbury, her publisher, has described the work as a courageous venture into the quiet battles many people face with depression and anxiety. The book’s intimate tone helped normalize discussions about mental health and gave readers a framework to understand dysthymia, a persistent depressive disorder characterized by long-standing low mood.
A Legacy of Help and Hope
Following the memoir’s success, Baek published a sequel in 2019, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki, in which she candidly reveals that the pursuit of happiness remains an ongoing process. Her work has been celebrated not only for its honesty but also for its emphasis on solace and connection—themes that resonate with readers who feel isolated by their mental health struggles.
What We Know About Her Passing
The Korea Organ Donation Agency confirmed that Baek donated her heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys at Islan Hospital through the National Health Insurance Service, demonstrating a lasting commitment to helping others beyond her writing. While the public details of her death are limited, the act of organ donation has been widely recognized as a final, generous contribution that saved multiple lives.
Reactions From the Community
Baek’s editor shared a heartfelt message through Bloomsbury: the author’s bravery in sharing her personal story was “vital” to readers, and her writing, they said, encouraged conversations that could offer consolation to those in distress. Anton Hur, Baek’s translator, expressed similarly reflective thoughts, noting that her impact extended far beyond her own country and readers around the world were touched by her words.
Understanding Baek’s Impact
Baek’s work did more than tell a personal story; it offered a mirror for readers to examine their own mental health journeys. By detailing dysthymia and other challenges, she helped demystify conditions that often carry stigma. Her writing invited dialogue, accountability, and empathy—qualities that remain crucial in the broader discussion about mental health care and societal support systems.
Continuing Conversations After Her Death
As the literary world processes her loss, readers and scholars may revisit her books to understand how Baek’s storytelling bridged personal experience and public conversation. Her memoirs continue to serve as resources for anyone navigating depression, anxiety, or the search for belonging, underscoring a simple truth: sharing vulnerability can help others feel seen and less alone.
Baek Se-hee’s legacy endures in the lives she touched through her writing, and in the lives she saved through organ donation. Her words and actions remind us that storytelling and generosity can travel far beyond the page.
