South Korean author Baek See-he, who courageously chronicled her struggles with mental health in the bestselling memoir I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, passed away at the age of 35. Her death was announced by the Korea Organ Donation Agency, which revealed that Baek donated her heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, ultimately saving five lives.While the exact cause of her death was not disclosed, Baek’s writing had already offered readers a deeply personal glimpse into her battles with depression and anxiety. Her 2018 memoir captures dialogues with her psychiatrist over twelve weeks, combined with reflective essays that explore the cycles of self-abuse and the challenges of living with a persistent depressive disorder. Following the success of her first book, Baek published a sequel in 2019, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki, which delves into the ongoing journey of striving for contentment, highlighting her openness and vulnerability.Baek’s Battle with DysthymiaBaek openly discussed her long-standing struggle with dysthymia, a mild but persistent form of depression. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, dysthymia affects roughly 2 percent of adults worldwide. The condition is believed to have a combination of biological, psychological, genetic, and environmental factors, although no specific genes have yet been linked to it. Chronic stress and trauma are also known contributors.Symptoms of dysthymia are generally milder than major depression but are long-lasting. They often include a consistently sad or anxious mood, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, low energy, hopelessness, changes in appetite or weight, disturbed sleep patterns, and low self-esteem. Treatment typically involves a combination of medication and therapy. Antidepressants can take several weeks to show full effects, and cognitive behavioral or interpersonal therapy helps patients manage distorted thoughts, improve relationships, and navigate stress.A Legacy Through Organ DonationBaek’s passing was marked not only by sorrow but also by the profound impact of her organ donation. According to reports cited by The Guardian and The Telegraph India, her heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys were recovered at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital in Gyeonggi Province, north of Seoul—the same hospital where she was born. Baek was declared brain-dead on October 16, and her decision to donate her organs has given five people a chance at life.Born in 1990, Baek studied creative writing at university before working for five years in a publishing house. She shared her home with her rescue dog, Jaram, and underwent psychiatric treatment for dysthymia for over a decade. The idea for her memoir grew out of her blog posts sharing therapy notes, which drew significant positive feedback from readers.Her memoir, published in Korea in 2018 and in the UK in 2022 by Bloomsbury, combines candid discussions with her psychiatrist with reflective essays, presenting a clear-eyed yet compassionate look at living with a chronic mental health condition. Her follow-up book, released in the UK last year, continued this narrative, exploring her ongoing journey toward self-acceptance and emotional resilience.Writing That Resonated WorldwideBaek’s memoir, named after her favourite Korean dish, tteokbokki—a spicy rice cake dish—struck a chord with readers, selling around 600,000 copies in Korea and over a million worldwide. Her work has been published in more than 25 countries, offering a rare, unflinching insight into mental health while inspiring empathy and understanding.
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