By Sekaggya Seka Moses
The literary world is mourning the loss of South Korean author Baek Se-hee, who passed away at the age of 35.
Baek rose to international prominence with her bestselling memoir “I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” a poignant exploration of her struggles with depression and her quest for hope and resilience.
Published in 2018, the book became a cultural phenomenon, resonating with readers worldwide with its candid and nuanced portrayal of mental health.
The memoir, which has been translated into 25 languages and sold over a million copies globally, was praised for its groundbreaking honesty and vulnerability.
Originally written in Korean, the book found international acclaim after its English translation was published in 2022.
Baek’s work was not only a reflection of her own struggles but also a beacon of hope for those navigating similar challenges.
In her book, she wrote about her decade-long struggle with dysthymia, a mild but long-lasting type of depression.
Her experiences formed the basis of her bestseller, which has been celebrated for normalizing mental health conversations and offering a nuanced take on inner struggles.
The book’s most famous line, “The human heart, even when it wants to die, quite often wants at the same time to eat some tteokbokki, too,” has resonated with readers worldwide.
Tteokbokki, a popular Korean snack, is a dish made of tubular chewy rice cakes usually eaten with a spicy sauce or stew.
Baek’s legacy extends beyond her writing, as she donated her organs, saving five lives.
Her sister shared that Baek had always wanted to “share her heart with others through her work, and to inspire hope.”
Baek’s translator, Anton Hur, wrote on Instagram, “Her organs have saved five people, but her readers will know she touched yet millions of lives more with her writing.”
A sequel to her memoir, “I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” was published in Korean in 2019 and later in English in 2024.
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