Baek Se-hee, a renowned South Korean author, passed away at the age of 35. She was best known for her bestselling memoir “I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” published in 2018, which candidly chronicled her therapy sessions and battles with depression and anxiety. The book brought mental health issues to the forefront in South Korea, where such topics are often stigmatized. It gained international acclaim after being translated into English in 2022 and has been translated into 25 languages, selling over a million copies worldwide.
Baek Se-hee’s death was confirmed on October 16, 2025, by the Korea Organ Donation Agency, though the exact cause of her death has not been disclosed. She was declared brain-dead before passing. Notably, Baek had signed up for organ donation, and her donated organs have saved five lives, reflecting her wish to inspire hope through her work and legacy
Her memoir combined personal narrative and self-help elements, expressing the inner conflict of wanting to die while also wanting to enjoy life’s simple pleasures like eating tteokbokki, a popular Korean dish. She was seen as a cultural icon promoting open conversation about mental health.
Here is a photo of Baek Se-hee:
If a local photo with more recent times is preferred, more might be available on Korean news sites or social media.This summary covers her life, death, and legacy in English comprehensively based on recent reports
About the Author
