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

URGENT UPDATE: South Korean author Baek Se-hee has died at the age of 35, as confirmed by the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency. The announcement was made on October 17, revealing that she made a profound impact by donating her heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys, saving five lives at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital.

Details regarding the cause and date of her death remain undisclosed. The agency described Baek as “a star in the sky,” emphasizing her legacy of compassion and generosity. Director Lee Sam-yeol expressed heartfelt gratitude for Baek’s decision to donate her organs, stating, “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.”

Baek, born in 1990 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, gained fame with her best-selling memoir titled I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, published in 2018. The book candidly addresses her struggles with dysthymia, a persistent form of depression, and has resonated with readers both in South Korea and internationally, particularly after its English translation by Bloomsbury.

She followed up that success with a sequel, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki, released in 2019, and collaborated on several works, including No One Will Ever Love You as Much as I Do in 2021 and I Want to Write, I Don’t Want to Write in 2022.

In a touching tribute, Baek’s younger sister, Baek Da-hee, shared her grief and admiration for her sister, stating, “My sister, whom I loved most, wanted to write, to connect with hearts through writing and to nurture dreams and hopes.” She added, “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.”

Baek Se-hee’s passing is a significant loss to the literary community, and her contributions to mental health awareness through her writing will continue to inspire many. As tributes pour in, her legacy as a writer and a compassionate individual lives on, reminding us of the profound impact one person can have on countless lives.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.