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.
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.
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 
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! 
. And can you believe she went through all that and still managed to find comfort in the simple things, like tteokbokki? 
. It just goes to show you, words can be such a powerful thing 
.
. it's amazing what she left behind - saving lives through organ donation is just incredible 
I'm so sad she's gone too soon, but her memory will live on through all the people she touched 
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...
. 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 
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.