Baek Se-hee, Author of ‘I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki,’ Dies at 35

Baek Se-hee, the South Korean author whose candid memoir I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki resonated with millions, has tragically passed away at the age of 35. Her death has sent shockwaves through the literary world, with tributes pouring in from fans and colleagues alike.

Known for her raw and vulnerable depiction of living with depression, Baek’s 2018 memoir became an international bestseller, touching hearts across the globe. Originally written in Korean, the book was later translated into English in 2022, where it continued to gain a wide readership. The book's famous title captures the paradox at the heart of Baek’s narrative—living with depression while still finding moments of joy in the simple things, like her love for tteokbokki, a spicy Korean rice cake dish.

Baek’s impact wasn’t just felt through her writing. The Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency confirmed that she saved five lives through her organ donation, offering her heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys to those in need. Her younger sister, Baek Da Hee, shared a heartfelt statement, saying, "My sister, whom I loved most, wanted to write, to share her heart with others through her work, and to inspire hope. Knowing her gentle nature, incapable of harbouring hatred, I hope she can now rest peacefully."

Baek, born in 1990, had struggled with dysthymia—a persistent form of mild depression—for nearly a decade, a condition that shaped much of her writing. Her memoir, I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, started as a collection of blog posts about her therapy sessions and eventually evolved into a powerful and deeply personal book. Its authenticity struck a chord with readers, especially those navigating similar struggles, and it helped normalize conversations about mental health in a society that often avoids them.

The book’s intimate style, blending therapy dialogue with personal reflections, left readers with a sense of quiet solidarity. As one of her most memorable lines reads: “The human heart, even when it wants to die, quite often wants at the same time to eat some tteokbokki, too.”

Baek’s words provided comfort to countless readers, and her death has led to an outpouring of tributes on social media. Fans have shared how her book made them feel seen and understood, with one reader writing, “To the author who made me feel seen through her words, Baek Se-hee, you were an absolute angel.”

In addition to the success of her first memoir, Baek also released a sequel, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki, in 2019, which was later translated into English in 2024. She continued to explore themes of endurance and finding meaning even when the pain doesn't subside.

Translator Anton Hur, who worked on bringing Baek's memoir to English-speaking readers, paid tribute on social media, noting, "Her readers will know she touched yet millions of lives more with her writing."

Baek's legacy is one of honesty, vulnerability, and hope. Through her words, she reminded us that even in our darkest moments, there’s room for simple pleasures, and that healing often begins with sharing our stories.