Baek Se-hee, the acclaimed South Korean author known for her raw and candid memoir “I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” passed away at the age of 35.
Baek Se-hee, the acclaimed South Korean author known for her raw and candid memoir “I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” passed away at the age of 35.

Baek Se-hee, the acclaimed South Korean author known for her raw and candid memoir “I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” passed away at the age of 35. Her groundbreaking memoir, originally published in 2018, detailed her decade-long struggle with depression through conversations with her psychiatrist. The book resonated globally, selling over a million copies and being translated into 25 languages, helping dismantle the stigma around mental health in South Korea and worldwide.
Baek’s death was confirmed by the Korea Organ Donation Agency, which also revealed her generous organ donation that saved five lives, including her heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys. Tributes poured in from fans and her English translator Anton Hur, who highlighted her profound impact on millions through her writing.
Her work remains a significant cultural touchstone for mental health awareness, offering hope and comfort to readers battling similar challenges.
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