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I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki
by Sehee, Baek
This memoir is essentially a transcript of therapy sessions, documenting the author's struggle with dysthymia and anxiety. Instead of offering grand solutions or toxic positivity, Baek Sehee shares the unvarnished, often contradictory nature of living with low-level depression. You will find yourself reading through her back-and-forth conversations with her psychiatrist, where she oscillates between feeling worthless and craving a simple snack like tteokbokki. The pacing is slow and meditative, mirroring the non-linear path of healing. It feels less like a self-help guide and more like a late-night conversation with a friend who understands that life can be simultaneously agonizing and mundane. This book is for anyone who feels exhausted by the pressure to be perfectly happy and finds comfort in the quiet, honest acknowledgment that it is okay to struggle while still wanting to enjoy the small pleasures of daily life.
10 Books similar to 'I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki'
If this book resonated with your own quiet battles, our curated list explores similar intersections of mental health, societal pressure, and the search for meaning. We selected these titles because they mirror that specific blend of vulnerability and introspection found in Baek's writing. Whether you are drawn to the clinical intimacy of Lori Gottlieb or the cultural nuances of South Korean literature like Almond and Kim Jiyoung, these works validate the messy experience of being human. They offer a compassionate space to process burnout and existential fatigue without demanding that you have it all figured out.
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by Matt Haig
Like Baek Sehee's work, this novel explores the deep complexities of depression and the desire to escape one's current reality. It offers a compassionate, philosophical look at the 'what ifs' of life while ultimately advocating for the value of existence.
This book captures a similar Japanese slice-of-life atmosphere that resonates with readers who appreciate the quiet, often isolating nature of modern urban life. It features a protagonist who struggles to fit into societal norms, much like the narrator in Baek Sehee's memoir.
This memoir provides a direct parallel to the therapeutic dialogue format of 'I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki.' It humanizes the therapist-patient relationship and validates the messy, non-linear process of healing.
by Cho Nam-Joo
For readers interested in the cultural context of South Korean mental health and societal pressures, this novel is essential. It mirrors the underlying frustration and systemic exhaustion often felt by the narrator in Baek Sehee's work.
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by Matt Haig
This is a raw, honest account of living with depression that matches the vulnerability found in Baek Sehee's writing. It serves as a gentle, reassuring companion for anyone navigating their own mental health struggles.
by TJ Klune
While more whimsical, this book shares the core message of finding beauty and connection despite feeling like an outsider. Readers who loved the gentle, healing tone of 'Tteokbokki' will appreciate the warmth and acceptance found here.
by Rachel Khong
This novel navigates the complexities of family relationships and personal loss with a blend of humor and sadness. It shares the 'bittersweet' emotional landscape that fans of Baek Sehee's memoir often gravitate toward.
This book acts as a soothing balm for those experiencing burnout or depression, much like the therapeutic reflections in Baek Sehee's work. It validates the necessity of slowing down and embracing the darker seasons of life.
A powerful South Korean novel that explores emotional detachment and the struggle to connect with others. It shares the same quiet, introspective pacing and deep focus on the internal world of the protagonist.
This memoir captures the messy, confusing, and often painful transition into adulthood with sharp wit and honesty. It mirrors the relatable, diary-like quality of Baek Sehee's writing while tackling the highs and lows of self-discovery.
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