Baek Se-hee, the author of the poignant self-help memoir I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, has passed away at the age of 35.
The late author's death was confirmed by the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency on Friday. They revealed in a statement that Baek had donated her heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital in Gyeonggi Province, ultimately saving five lives.
“We are deeply grateful for the warm-hearted love shown by donor Baek Se-hee and her family in practicing the gift of life,” Lee Sam Yeol, director of the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency, said in the statement, cited by The Independent. “The love Baek shared at the end of her life - after offering comfort and hope through her heartfelt writing - has become a miracle that gives life to others.”
Baek’s younger sister, Baek Da Hee, also shared an emotional tribute, which read: “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 peacefullyI love you so much,” The Korea Herald reported.
Baek Se-hee’s Memoir and Global Impact
Born in 1990 as the second of three daughters, the late novelist studied creative writing at university and later worked at a publishing company for five years.
In 2018, she published her book, I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, which is a deeply personal account of her battle with dysthymia, a form of persistent depression, and recounts her conversations with her psychiatrist.
The memoir sold approximately 600,000 copies in Korea and over a million copies worldwide, and has been translated into more than 25 languages, reaching readers across the globe.
In her follow-up work, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki, published in the UK last year, Baek continued to delve into her personal experiences, offering further insights into her ongoing mental health journey.
Tteokbokki, a Korean dish made of rice cakes in spicy sauce, is mentioned throughout both books and holds personal significance for Baek as her favorite food. The inclusion of this beloved dish serves as a metaphor for her own desire for life despite her struggles with depression.
A Personal Journey of Struggles and Triumph
In a 2023 interview with PEN, Baek explained that the idea for her memoir stemmed from her blog, where she shared notes from her therapy sessions.
Her blog gained attention when a commenter expressed how her words felt like “a light was shining into the darkness of their life.” This moment of connection prompted Baek to pursue her goal of writing a book - a lifelong dream that would allow her to share her experiences and offer solace to others.
Writing, Baek said, "can help you see yourself from different angles,” and she believed it could serve as a tool for personal understanding and healing. “It can be a way of regarding yourself three-dimensionally,” she added, per The Guardian.
Many of the late author's followers have come forward to share tributes under her final Instagram post. "You saved all of us. Thank you Baek Se Hee 언니. May you rest in love and peace. You and all of your works will always have a special place in our hearts. I love you," one user said.
Another wrote: "Fly free sweet one, you changed lives, saved lives and opened your heart to tell your story, I wish you a wonderful greatest adventure now you’re free and send my love and deepest sympathy to family, loved ones and friends, may they find strength holding onto the memories and beauty you left behind!x"
A third added: "You were more than just a writer, you were a light to everyone who found comfort in your words."
Our thoughts are with Baek's loved ones at this time.