Baek Sehee, the author of a bestselling memoir in South Korea, passed away on October 16 at the age of 35. Previously, she had become a cultural phenomenon in Korea and around the world for her candid discussions about psychotherapy and mental health, according to the New York Times.
Baek’s death at a hospital in the city of Goyang, west of Seoul, was confirmed by Kim Yunsik, spokesperson for the Korea Organ Donation Agency. He stated that the family did not wish to disclose the cause of death.
Baek Sehee was best known for her memoir I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, an intimate account of her battle with depression and anxiety. Tteokbokki is a popular Korean spicy rice cake dish.
Published in 2018, the book contains transcripts of recorded conversations between Baek and her therapist, interspersed with short essays addressing topics such as sexism and self‑doubt.
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki was warmly received by readers for its honest discussion of mental health — a subject still heavily stigmatized and often shrouded in shame within Korean families.
In the book, she wrote: “I reach out with open arms to show you that I’m here with you. I hope that those drowning in a whirlwind of emotions can recognize my hands, come closer to me, and let us share the warmth of trust with each other.”
The memoir was published in 25 countries and has sold over one million copies worldwide. In a 2023 interview with PEN Transmissions, Baek shared that she was inspired to write the book by a comment on her personal blog, where she had documented her experiences in therapy. The commenter said they were going through similar emotions and felt relieved to know they were not alone in the struggle.
“When they said it was like a ray of light shining into the darkness of their life, I was truly surprised. I had simply been honest in public, yet that honesty comforted someone,” Baek said.
Anton Hur, who translated her book into English, wrote on social media on October 17 that Baek “touched millions of lives” through her work. As news of her passing spread, fans around the world shared tributes and messages of gratitude online. One person wrote: “Her book was the catalyst for one of the deepest conversations on mental health we’ve ever had.”
In a press statement, Baek Dahee, the author’s older sister, said her sibling “loved writing, loved connecting with others through words, and always tried to plant seeds of hope for people.”
Born in 1990 in Goyang, Baek was the middle of three sisters. She studied creative writing at Dongguk University in Seoul and worked at a publishing company for five years.
According to the Korea Organ Donation Agency, during that period she was diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder. She began undergoing therapy at counseling centers and psychiatric clinics — experiences that later became the foundation of her memoir.
In 2019, Baek released a sequel titled I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki 2, which delved deeper into her struggles with self‑harm and suicidal thoughts.
Although regarded as a pioneer in openly discussing mental health, Baek remained humble about her influence. In her interview with PEN, she said that more and more people are writing about similar issues, and “what makes me happy is that at the very least, we’ve started talking about it more.”
Sources: Netizenbuzz
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