I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki (EPZ) by Baek Sehee: the bestselling South Korean therapy memoir

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC. Paperback. NEW. The featured array revolves around a book titled "I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki." This thought-provoking book is described as a "part memoir, part self-help book" that delves into the experiences of a young woman named Baek Sehee. The story follows her journey as she grapples with feelings of depression, anxiety, and self-doubt while striving to maintain a composed facade in her professional and personal life. Baek Sehee is a successful social media director at a publishing house, but behind her seemingly thriving exterior, she battles an internal struggle that she identifies as depression. Throughout the book, she seeks help from a psychiatrist to better understand and confront her emotions. The narrative highlights her persistently low mood, constant anxiety, and a tendency to judge others. Though she excels at concealing her true feelings from the outside world, she finds it difficult to form meaningful connections and feels exhausted by the efforts to maintain her composed persona. While Baek Sehee questions the normalcy of her condition, she wonders why she can still find joy in her favorite street food, tteokbokki, a spicy rice cake dish. This paradox raises questions about the complexities of human emotions and the possibility of experiencing conflicting desires and sensations at the same time. Baek Sehee's recorded conversations with her psychiatrist over the course of 12 weeks form the basis of the book, as she begins to unravel the destructive patterns and knee-jerk reactions that contribute to her cycle of self-abuse. "I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki" is a candid exploration of Baek Sehee's struggles, offering a raw and vulnerable glimpse into her experiences. Through the combination of memoir and self-help elements, this book aims to resonate with readers who have faced similar challenges. By sharing her story, Baek Sehee hopes to connect with others who feel that their public image contradicts their internal reality. The title, "I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki," captures the conflicting emotions Baek Sehee experiences. It mirrors the complex nature of mental health struggles, as she finds solace in a simple pleasure like food while also contemplating more severe thoughts. The book itself reflects this duality by presenting itself as a lifeline to readers in times of darkness. It is worth mentioning that "I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki" is available in three different colors, with the one received selected at random. This unexpected element adds a touch of surprise to the reader's experience, as each color represents a unique opportunity to engage with the content. Overall, this array introduces a thought-provoking book that aims to shed light on the internal battles many individuals face while maintaining a composed facade. By sharing Baek Sehee's personal journey, "I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki" strives to provide comfort, understanding, and a sense of connection to those navigating their own struggles with mental health.