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

A South Korean Memoir Author's Lasting Impact: The Tragic Story of Baek Se-hee

Baek Se-hee, the author behind the bestselling memoir I Want to Die but I Want To Eat Tteokbokki, has died at the age of 35. Her book, a compilation of conversations with her psychiatrist about her depression, was a cultural phenomenon that resonated with readers across the globe.

Originally written in Korean and published in 2018, Baek's memoir gained international acclaim after its English translation was released in 2022. The story centered on her struggles with dysthymia, a mild but long-lasting type of depression, which has helped to normalize conversations about mental health worldwide.

Baek's writing not only touched the lives of millions but also served as an inspiration for others struggling with similar issues. A sequel, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbki, was published in Korean in 2019, followed by its English translation in 2024.

The author's decision to donate her organs after passing away will save five lives, according to the Korean Organ Donation Agency. Her sister has stated that Baek wanted to "share her heart with others through her work and inspire hope."

Tributes have poured in on social media, praising Baek for her honesty and resilience in sharing her struggles, which have helped countless readers find comfort in every sentence of her memoir. The human spirit, even in the darkest moments, can find solace in simple pleasures like tteokbokki, a popular snack in Korean cuisine.

Baek Se-hee's story serves as a poignant reminder that even when life seems unbearable, it is possible to find strength and hope in the midst of darkness.

just heard about Baek Se-hee she was like a breath of fresh air, you know? her book was so raw and honest, it's crazy how many people found solace in it it's not just about mental health, it's about finding hope in the struggles #MentalHealthMatters Baek Se-hee might be gone, but her legacy lives on through her writing & all the lives she touched what a role model, inspiring people to keep going even when things get tough tteokbokki for the soul

I'm so saddened to hear about Baek Se-hee's passing , but her legacy is going to live on for years to come. I think this raises some interesting questions about the responsibility that comes with fame and platform. Did she feel pressured to share her struggles in a way that would resonate with readers, or was it truly a desire to connect with others? It's also worth considering how we treat mental health issues in our society - is there more we can do to create a culture that encourages open conversation and support?

I'm also reminded of the concept of "soft power" in international relations. Baek's writing has had a significant impact on global discourse around mental health, but it's not just about the book itself, it's about the ripple effect she's had on people's lives. Can we say that her influence is more effective than some of our diplomats' efforts to promote cultural exchange and understanding?

just heard about baek se-hee she was an amazing author who broke barriers with her honest book i'm so grateful for her legacy and the impact she had on people's lives her writing was like a warm bowl of tteokbokki - comforting, nourishing, and life-affirming it's sad that she left us too soon, but what an incredible gift to the world with her work her story is a reminder that mental health matters and that we're not alone in our struggles let's keep sharing hope and kindness, just like baek did

man this sucks baek se hee's death at 35 is like so sad her writing was literally saving lives, helping ppl deal with mental health, and now she's gone the fact that ppl are still gonna be eating tteokbokki while watching her memoir is just wild i mean don't get me wrong, i love a good plate of tteokbokki as much as the next guy but baek se hee was more than just a foodie icon, she was a symbol of hope and resilience in a world that can be pretty dark sometimes

another young soul lost too soon. Baek Se-hee was more than just an author, she was a beacon of hope for those struggling with mental health issues. I mean, who wouldn't want to read about someone's existential crisis over a bowl of spicy tteokbokki? her writing was raw, honest and honestly, it's a shame we didn't get more from her. 5 lives saved by her organs is a nice way to honor her memory though.

OMG, 35?!?! That's crazy! So sad that Baek Se-hee's memoir was her legacy . I mean, have you seen the charts on depression? Did you know that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health disorder every year? The numbers are insane ! Anyway, according to various studies, people who talk about their struggles with depression (like Baek Se-hee did) tend to live longer... but I guess that's not the case here .

Let's look at some stats on memoirs: 75% of readers report feeling less alone after reading a personal memoir . And Baek's writing was literally life-changing for millions of people worldwide ! The fact that she donated her organs is really inspiring ... did you know that organ donation saves an average of 2 lives per transplant? .

What I love about this story is how it shows us that even in dark times, there's always hope . Baek Se-hee's legacy will live on through the countless people she inspired . And have you seen the memes on Tteokbokki? It's crazy! The most popular social media posts about Baek Se-hee are from fans saying they found comfort in her words .

Anyway, I just wanted to say that we'll miss Baek Se-hee so much ... but her work will keep on inspiring us for a long time .

I'm still trying to process this ... 35 years old is way too young to leave us Baek Se-hee was such an inspiring person, her writing really changed lives for many people I mean, who else can say they've helped normalize conversations about mental health and inspired others to share their own struggles? Her story is a reminder that even in the darkest times, there's always hope And tteokbokki... it's crazy how something as simple as a snack could be connected to her journey It's heartbreaking to think she won't be able to write anymore or share more of her heart with us

just heard about baek se-hee's passing it's crazy how her book became this cultural phenomenon and helped normalize conversations about mental health... i mean, who would've thought that talking about depression could be so inspiring? but what's even more amazing is that she left behind a legacy of hope for those struggling with similar issues. her story shows us that no matter how dark things get, there's always something to hold onto - even in the simplest pleasures like tteokbokki

this is so sad. another talented writer gone too soon . i remember reading her book for the first time and being blown away by her honesty and vulnerability . it's amazing how her story has helped so many people, especially those struggling with mental health issues . tteokbokki might be just a snack to some, but for baek, it was a reminder that life is still worth living even on the toughest days

I'm so sad to hear about Baek Se-hee... her story was really inspiring, you know? She was super brave to share all her struggles with depression and mental health issues, it's not easy talking about that stuff. But she did, and it helped so many people feel less alone in their own struggles. I love how tteokbokki became this symbol of hope for her... who would've thought a spicy rice cake could be so uplifting?

omg what a shame her book was literally changing lives and now she's gone too soon 35 feels like such an early goodbye tteokbokki can't save us all sadly but seriously her legacy lives on through her work and the fact that mental health is being talked about more openly hope her organs do bring comfort to those who need it

awww this is so sad ... Baek Se-hee was such an inspiration to so many people around the world her book was more than just a memoir it was a movement it's amazing how she shared her story and helped normalize conversations about mental health i mean who wouldn't want to talk about their feelings after reading hers anyway, her legacy lives on through all the lives she touched let's keep sharing hope and kindness like Baek Se-hee did

I'm still trying to process the loss of Baek Se-hee... her story was like a punch to the gut - it's so raw and honest, you can't help but feel all the emotions. I mean, who wouldn't want to cry reading about someone who just wants to eat tteokbokki and live? but seriously, it's amazing how she was able to turn her struggles into something that helped so many people. The fact that she wrote from a place of vulnerability like that is just... wow. And I love that her sister said she wanted to "share her heart with others" - that's literally the most beautiful thing I've ever heard . It's crazy how much impact one person can have, especially when they're just being their authentic selves. Baek Se-hee may be gone, but her tteokbokki-loving spirit lives on

I'm literally sobbing over here ... just learned about Baek Se-hee's passing at 35 . Her memoir was more than just a book, it was a movement . It showed us that sharing our struggles can be incredibly powerful and help others find the strength to keep going . Tteokbokki became a symbol of hope for so many people . I'm still in awe of her honesty and resilience . Her legacy will live on, inspiring countless lives with her story .