South Korean Author Baek Se-hee, 35, Dies; Donates Organs to Save Lives

UPDATE: South Korean author Baek Se-hee, aged 35, has tragically passed away, as confirmed by the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency. Her death was announced on October 17, 2023, and has sent shockwaves through the literary community and her devoted readers.

Baek, renowned for her best-selling memoir I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, was celebrated not only for her poignant writing but also for her selfless act of saving five lives through organ donation. The announcement from the agency described her as “a star in the sky,” highlighting her incredible legacy.

The precise cause of her death has not been disclosed. However, it’s known that she donated her heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, embodying the gift of life until the very end.

“We are deeply grateful for the warm-hearted love shown by donor Baek Se-hee and her family in practicing the gift of life,” stated Lee Sam-yeol, the agency’s director. He added, “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 became a voice of her generation, using her experiences with mental health to connect with readers. After completing her studies in creative writing, she worked in publishing for five years before penning her acclaimed memoir. Her debut, published in 2018, candidly explored her struggles with dysthymia, a chronic form of depression.

In the following year, she released a sequel, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki, both of which have been translated into English by Bloomsbury. Baek also collaborated with fellow authors on projects like No One Will Ever Love You as Much as I Do (2021) and I Want to Write, I Don’t Want to Write (2022), further enriching her literary portfolio.

In a heartfelt tribute, her younger sister Baek Da-hee expressed her 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.”

As the literary community mourns the loss of Baek Se-hee, her powerful words and compassionate legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and resonate with many. The impact of her life and work is profound, making this a moment of reflection for readers and writers alike.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and the ongoing conversations surrounding mental health, literature, and organ donation sparked by Baek’s remarkable life.