Picture a South Korean storyteller who turned her raw, honest struggles with mental health into a global sensation—meet Baek Se-hee! Born in 1990, this creative writer cracked open the stigma around therapy with her groundbreaking memoir, I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki. With a blend of therapy transcripts and reflective essays, she’s redefined self-help literature, earning praise from BTS’s RM and sparking a stage play adaptation. Her work is a warm, spicy hug, much like the tteokbokki she craves, inviting readers to embrace their imperfections.
Baek’s story isn’t just about battling depression—it’s about finding light in the mundane, from a plate of chewy rice cakes to a hard-won therapy session. Her candid voice resonates with millennials and Gen Z, making her a beacon for mental health conversations worldwide.
The Making of Baek Se-hee
Born in 1990 in South Korea, Baek Se-hee grew up in a culture where mental health was rarely discussed. She studied creative writing in university, honing a knack for introspective storytelling. After graduating, she landed a job as a social media director at a publishing house, a role she enjoyed but found exhausting due to her persistent low moods. Diagnosed with dysthymia—a chronic, mild form of depression—she spent a decade in therapy, grappling with anxiety and self-doubt. This personal journey became the foundation for her writing, transforming her pain into a universal narrative.
Baek Se-hee’s Unforgettable Stories
Baek’s debut, I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki (2018), is a genre-defying mix of memoir and self-help. The book features transcripts of her therapy sessions over 12 weeks, paired with micro-essays that unpack her struggles with dysthymia, body image, and societal pressures. Its raw honesty and relatable tone made it a runaway bestseller in South Korea, with translations in the UK, US, and beyond. A BTS member’s endorsement skyrocketed its global reach, selling 100,000 copies in the UK within six months.
The sequel, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki, dives deeper into Baek’s evolving therapy journey, tackling complex inner conflicts with the same vulnerability. Her writing style—conversational, introspective, and laced with humor—feels like a chat with a friend. She also co-authored Love and Freedom and Body Language, exploring themes of self-acceptance and relationships. Baek’s work stands out for its bravery, offering a window into therapy’s gradual, messy process in a society where such openness is revolutionary.
Why Baek Se-hee Matters
Baek Se-hee’s impact transcends literature. In South Korea, where mental health stigma and high suicide rates persist, her books have sparked vital conversations, encouraging young people to seek therapy. Her global influence, amplified by BTS’s RM, has made her a voice for the social media generation, resonating with readers who feel “not fine but not devastated.” Adapted into a stage play, her memoir continues to inspire, proving that sharing one’s “darkness” can light the way for others.
Baek’s legacy lies in her courage to be vulnerable, blending humor and pain to create a new kind of self-help narrative. She’s not just a writer—she’s a cultural catalyst, reminding us that healing is uneven but worth the journey.
- Born: 1990, South Korea
- Key Works: I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki, Love and Freedom, Body Language
- Fun Fact: Her favorite food is tteokbokki, and she lives with her rescue dog, Jaram!
Snag I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki and dive into Baek Se-hee’s heartfelt, healing world!