SOS Book Club Pick: I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir
The South of Seoul Volunteer January Book Club 2023 recommendation is I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir by Baek Sehee. Check out this deeply personal memoir of conversations between the author and her therapist.
About the South of Seoul Virtual Book Club
Looking for book recommendations? Welcome to the South of Seoul book club. We recommend a book every month. Such recommended books explore topics like 1) South Korean history or culture, 2) the complexity of cross-cultural life, or 4) the exploration of life within the diaspora experience.
Commitment to Accessibility
South of Seoul volunteers take book accessibility into consideration when recommending titles. We consider:
- Purchasable in English In Korea: Many translated titles can’t actually be purchased in English in Korea,
- Audio Version Available: Many people find audiobooks easier to consume.
- Online Versions.: International residents can’t afford to travel with many books and many books may not be available in digital form from within Korea.
Commitment to Diverse Lived Experiences
South of Seoul volunteers seek to put lived experiences at the forefront of their recommendation choices. When considering authors we look for such things as:
- Korean authors writing about their lived experiences in Korea.
- International residents writing about their lived experiences in South Korea.
- Ethnic Koreans writing about their lived experience in other countries.
Reading about Korean culture from a variety of perspectives may provide readers with a greater understanding of the country and culture.
Commitment to Supporting Mental Health
South of Seoul also includes book recommendations that support the lives and mental health of our community. This means that books may tackle the issues related to living between cultures. This may include topics such as culture shock, language, relationships, and more.
Book Recommendation by KimchiRednecks
December’s book club recommendation is brought to you by our content partner, Melissa Whittington from KimchiRednecks. I have experienced bouts of depression since I was in my teens and adding the struggles of Multiple Sclerosis on top of that means I am no stranger to this topic. Whether you have experienced mild depression or deep depression, this book is a great respite in that she is simply sharing her reflections and experiences which make you feel less alone in your own struggles.
About “I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir”
“I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir” by Baek Sehee is an open and honest look into the author’s experiences dealing with depression and seeking professional help. The author has transcribed her sessions with her therapist and intersperses some additional essays with humor and self-reflection as she works to resolve her harmful behaviors.
Although she has a successful career at a publishing house, Baek Sehee seeks out a therapist to help her delve into her issues. She isn’t quite sure how to categorize her feelings as just depression or hopelessness at first. Though she tries to connect with others, she often has trouble forming deep relationships and sometimes feels very judgmental of others.
“I wonder about others like me, who seem totally fine on the outside but are rotting on the inside, where the rot is this vague state of being not-fine and not-devastated at the same time.”
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, Baek Sehee
I really enjoy how she explores her issues, questions and concerns and works to find ways to remove those harmful behaviors of self-abuse. The author is open about her struggles and frustrations which is refreshing since mental health issues often still feel very stigmatized.
If you have ever felt depressed or alone or frustrated with yourself, you may find more hope and understanding reading this memoir. Though I am not millennial or Korean, there are some universal struggles and frustrations that connected me to the author and her feelings.
This translation was just released in November of this year. I was intrigued by the title because the dark humor was relatable and it was a good read.
More Commentary and Reviews
For more on “I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir,” read the Japan Times review ‘I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki’: Compelling confessions of an exhausted millennial.
Online Purchasing Link
You can purchase “I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir” on Amazon.
Find More Book Club Recommendations
Did you like this recommendation? Be sure to explore our other volunteer-recommended books.
July’s Book Club Pick, “The Surrendered,” is a powerful, evocative tale of how love and war can profoundly transform people’s lives. This novel delves into the lives of three complex characters whose lives are intertwined by the turmoil of the Korean War and its aftermath. So, let’s dig into this novel. About The South Of…
June’s Book Club Pick, “Tastes Like War,” is a memoir written by Grace Cho exploring the intersections of food, family, and the Korean American experience, delving into the author’s relationship with her mother and their shared journey through mental illness and cultural identity. Let’s dig into this memoir. About The South Of Seoul Book Club…
Welcome, book lovers and South of Seoul community! This month, our book club dives into “Nuclear Family” by Joseph Han. It’s a novel that explores the life of a Korean American family caught in the throes of personal and political turmoil. Han’s unique narrative style blends realism with a touch of the surreal, making “Nuclear…
April’s Book Club Pick, “Almond: A Novel,” is a coming of age story about Yunjae, a young boy with Alexithymia, who struggles to feel pain, anger, and empathy. Hugely popular among BTS fans, as RM, J-Hope, and Suga read it in 2020 in their reality show “BTS In the Soop.” So, let’s dig into this…
March’s Book Club pick is “Greek Lessons.” The story follows a young woman and her professor of Ancient Greek, both of whom are alienated from the people around them due to limitations with their physical bodies. As the two become more connected, they share the pain and solace that they experience. About the South of…
Follow the lives of a mistress and servant during the Japanese occupation of Korea in “Can’t I Go Instead.” Lee Geum-yi explores the complex relationship between the women, examining the extent to which loyalty and deception can be used to survive. About the South of Seoul Book Club If you are familiar with the series,…
What Books Do You Recommend?
Feel free to share your own book recommendations on our Facebook page or in the blog post comments at the end of this post.
About Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks)
Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life.
Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel.
Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike.
Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts.
Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them.
Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures:
YouTube: @kimchirednecks
YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks
Instagram: @kimchirednecks
Facebook: KimchiRednecks
United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com
KimchiRednecks
About Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He's the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com
