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A review by heyjulianahey
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee
As a reader of translated books and a fan of Korean literature, I was immediately drawn to I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee, translated by Anton Hur. The title, the cover, an endorsement from BTS’s RM? I was sold.
The book is a bestseller in Korea, but seemed to be getting mixed reviews by English-speaking readers, so I was even more curious to find out for myself. And I loved it.
Part therapy transcripts, and part notes and reflections, the book follows the author’s journey with therapy as a first-timer, and this is where I think some readers struggled, especially those who are seasoned therapy-goers.
Personally, I found many parts I could relate to, and every time I thought it was getting a bit repetitive, it would hit me with a quote so relatable it left me reeling for hours.
I appreciated the author’s vulnerability, and the perspective of both the author and the therapist in a culture where seeking treatment for mental health conditions is still largely frowned upon.
You can check out my full review—including my favorite quotes from the book—on Instagram @heyjulianahey
The book is a bestseller in Korea, but seemed to be getting mixed reviews by English-speaking readers, so I was even more curious to find out for myself. And I loved it.
Part therapy transcripts, and part notes and reflections, the book follows the author’s journey with therapy as a first-timer, and this is where I think some readers struggled, especially those who are seasoned therapy-goers.
Personally, I found many parts I could relate to, and every time I thought it was getting a bit repetitive, it would hit me with a quote so relatable it left me reeling for hours.
I appreciated the author’s vulnerability, and the perspective of both the author and the therapist in a culture where seeking treatment for mental health conditions is still largely frowned upon.
You can check out my full review—including my favorite quotes from the book—on Instagram @heyjulianahey