South Korean Author Baek Se-hee Dies at 35, Donates Organs

UPDATE: South Korean author Baek Se-hee has tragically passed away at the age of 35, as confirmed by the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency. The announcement was made on October 17, revealing that her legacy will live on through her organ donations, which saved five lives.

In a heartfelt statement, the agency described Baek as “a star in the sky,” highlighting her decision to donate her heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital. The date and cause of her death remain undisclosed, yet her impact is already being felt deeply across the literary community and beyond.

“We are deeply grateful for the warm-hearted love shown by donor Baek Se-hee and her family in practicing the gift of life,” said Lee Sam-yeol, director of the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency. “The love Baek shared at the end of her life — after offering comfort and hope through her heartfelt writing — has become a miracle that gives life to others.”

Born in 1990 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Baek Se-hee was the second of three daughters. She studied creative writing at university and spent five years in the publishing industry. During this time, she faced her own struggles with dysthymia, a persistent form of depression, which inspired her groundbreaking memoir, I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, published in 2018. This candid exploration of her mental health resonated with many, leading to widespread acclaim and translation into English.

Following the success of her debut, Baek released a sequel, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki, in 2019. She also collaborated with fellow authors on projects such as No One Will Ever Love You as Much as I Do (2021) and I Want to Write, I Don’t Want to Write (2022).

Her younger sister, Baek Da-hee, expressed profound sorrow, stating, “My sister, whom I loved most, wanted to write, to connect with hearts through writing and to nurture dreams and hopes. Knowing her kind heart that loved so much and could not hate anyone, I hope she can now rest peacefully in heaven. I love you so much.”

This heartbreaking news comes as her readers and fans are left to reflect on Baek’s significant contributions to literature and mental health awareness. Her works sparked vital conversations surrounding mental health, offering solace and connection to countless individuals struggling with similar challenges.

As the community mourns her loss, many are encouraged to remember Baek Se-hee not just for her passing, but for the enduring hope and inspiration she provided through her writing and her selfless act of organ donation. This is a developing story, and more updates will follow as they become available.