Baek Se-hee, author of I Want To Die But I Want To Eat Tteokbokki, dies at 35

A South Korean author who made waves with her bestselling memoir I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki has died at the age of 35. Baek Se-hee's book, which explores her struggles with depression and her love for Korean comfort food, was a cultural phenomenon in Korea before going international after its English translation was published in 2022.

The author had been open about her battles with dysthymia, a mild but long-lasting form of depression, since college. She received treatment for over a decade and wrote extensively about her experiences to help normalize conversations around mental health. Her book found success worldwide, selling more than a million copies and being translated into 25 languages.

Baek's organs have been donated posthumously and are expected to save five lives according to the Korean Organ Donation Agency. Baek's family said she had wanted to 'share her heart with others through her work' and inspire hope in those struggling with mental health issues. Her legacy will live on as tributes pour in on social media with many praising the comfort found in her writing.

Baek Se-hee took creative writing courses at university, eventually landing a job at a publishing house where she worked for five years before focusing on her writing full time. A sequel to I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbki has been published both in Korean and English.

man that's so sad she was really inspiring people with her honesty about mental health it's crazy how much impact one person can have from what i've read she seems like a hero not just to korea but globally too 25 languages is insane tteokbokki will always be special now

just heard about Baek Se-hee's passing, it's such a shock... 35 feels like too young . I loved her book, it was so raw and honest about mental health, and how food can be this comfort thing for us . It's crazy that she inspired so many people worldwide to talk more openly about their struggles . Her legacy is definitely going to live on through her writing, but it's also really sad that we won't get to see what else she had in store . RIP Baek Se-hee

just heard the news about Baek Se-hee, such a talented author... her book was more than just a memoir, it was a movement for mental health awareness. she inspired so many people, especially young Koreans, to talk about their feelings and struggles. i'm sure her legacy will live on through her writing and the lives she touched . it's amazing how her organs have been donated posthumously, what a beautiful way to keep sharing hope and love . can't wait for the sequel to be released!

I just heard about Baek Se-hee's passing ... it's so sad. She was such an inspiration to me, I mean, who wouldn't want to talk about their struggles with depression in a way that's both honest and uplifting? Her book was like a breath of fresh air for me when I needed it most . And can you believe she went through all that and still managed to find comfort in the simple things, like tteokbokki? I loved how her legacy is living on, even after she's gone... it's a reminder that we're not alone in our struggles. Her family did an amazing job sharing her story and spreading hope for others . It just goes to show you, words can be such a powerful thing .

this is so sad I feel like we just lost a friend Baek Se-hee's story was so inspiring, you know? she went through so much but still managed to share her heart with the world . I loved how she normalised conversations around mental health, that takes so much courage . it's amazing what she left behind - saving lives through organ donation is just incredible . her legacy will live on and we'll keep reading about her adventures in comfort food

just heard about Baek Se-hee's passing, feels so sad another talented author gone too soon... 35 is way too young, feels like there are always more stories left to be told was inspiring to see her openness about mental health struggles and how it helped normalize conversations around it even though she's no longer with us, I'm sure her legacy will keep on living through the impact of her writing hope those who struggled with similar issues found comfort in her words... RIP Baek Se-hee

man i'm so sad to hear about baek se-hee she was such an inspiration to me, especially with how open she was about her struggles with depression it's crazy to think that she used her experiences to help others feel less alone, and now her legacy will live on through the countless people she touched i'm glad her organs are going to save lives, that's a beautiful way for her to keep giving let's all take a moment to remember her and celebrate the impact she had on our lives

Baek Se-hee was an amazing person who used her platform to talk about mental health and help others feel less alone She fought so hard for over a decade and still shared her heart with the world through her writing I'm so grateful she left behind a legacy of love and hope Her book is a reminder that we don't have to face our struggles alone, and that sharing our stories can be super powerful 5 lives are going to be saved thanks to her selfless gift of organ donation I'm so sad she's gone too soon, but her memory will live on through all the people she touched

Man I'm so sad to hear about Baek Se-hee's passing She was just 35, that's crazy! I mean, I've heard of people with dysthymia struggling for a decade or more, but it still shocks me how young she was when she started talking openly about it. Did the book really sell over a million copies in just 3 years? That sounds way too good to be true Also, what's up with the sequel being published in both Korean and English already? I thought that would take at least another year after her passing...

omg u guyz, i cant even right now lol. i just heard about baek se-hee passing away at 35 & i'm literally shaking rn. her book was more than just a memoir, it was a movement. she had the guts to share her struggles with dysthymia & it helped so many ppl normalize conversations around mental health. like, her writing is honestly the most comfortin thing ever & now we're gonna miss her so much . i'm so grateful for her legacy & i hope her book continues to inspire ppl to be kinder 2 themselves & each other . baek's story is a reminder that even in darkness, there's always hope & love 2 share

just heard about Baek Se-hee's passing . She was such an inspiration to so many with her raw honesty about mental health & her love for kfood . It's crazy she wrote about dysthymia since college, like that's been going on for years before it became more mainstream . Anyway, it's amazing she got to donate her organs posthumously & save 5 lives . Her legacy will live on through the comfort people found in her writing

OMG just heard about Baek Se-hee, such an inspiring story depression can be so tough to deal with, but she's proof that writing can help you process & heal her book was more than just a memoir, it was a movement, and I'm so grateful she left behind a legacy that will continue to support mental health conversations

I'm gonna miss this girl... I mean, who needs a memoir about eating spicy noodles all day when you can just watch Netflix? I know it sounds harsh, but Baek Se-hee's book was more like a guilty pleasure for some people, not a deep dive into mental health struggles. And have you seen the number of 'tear-jerking tributes' on social media already? It's getting old... Let's give her a break and just appreciate the fact that she made us laugh (and cry) with her writing.

man thats sad , another talented soul lost way too soon. i cant help but think about how many ppl with mental health struggles out there are still stigmatized & dont feel comfortable talking about it . baeks legacy is not just her book tho, its the conversation she started & hopefully paved the way for more ppl to open up . lets keep sharing her story & making space 4 others 2 do the same