I am one of the students who are guilty getting upset during their History classes,

simply because it is somehow pointless to me, how we value the things that were done, instead
of focusing mainly on what’s in the present and what are ahead of us--- however, in life, what
seems pointless is what actually matters the most. History plays a vital role in structuring the
things that we are enjoying as of today; as it is the only source for mankind to learn, adapt and
improvise.

The history of every known place is the only track that reflects upon the delicate
past it once had; the preserved monuments show how well it served its people in the past---
they exist to speak a specific time in our history, and to narrate a story depicting the continuity
of hardships of the land where it stood. Practically speaking and base on its physical rationale,
these monuments and heritages serve as a general blueprint of today's architecture. Most of
these are exquisite and extraordinary that it is almost impossible for us to rework it today. The
style represents a distinct era of architecture and engineering; and the fine motifs represent a
quality craftsmanship as well as the hardwork and effort that they exerted just to crop every
little stone into a beautiful sculpture of art; even before the presence of technology and
innovative materials, which aid our modern design. The complexity of planning even without
the major softwares, and the scales they used, also has a lot to say about its value and the
wealth of the inhabitants who once used it.

Aside from those listed above, in a blog postedin Now Magazine, by DiMatteo in
2012, he mentioned some reason why we should care more about the preservation of
heritages: Historical buildings connects us physically to the past. He stated that, "It’s not just
about saving bricks, but about saving the layers and layers of information about our lives and
those of our ancestors." The non-preservity of those will make us lose our identities. These
cultural heritages are a significant sentiments to the majority of people. It serves as a legacy, for
although each generation will not make it until forever; but these will remain as something they
left behind which remind the future that they existed somewhere along the time line. Other
than that, heritage preservation is more labour-intensive, which means more jobs. Although, as
reported in the KBS News, some of those who are taking good care of the cultural heritage are
volunteers, there are still people financed to make it happen. Heritage preservation boost
property values as well. Since renovation is a very expensive process than building new one--- in
terms of historical heritage preservation and material costs, the rate of return is often long
term, in tha matter of property value, and profit. However the foremost benefit in terms of
economic standards is that, preserved heritages attract tourists. It promotes the city where it
was built, enabling more businesses venture to start and paving a big opportunity of livelihood
for its people.

After watching the video, Korean heritage and culture is an area I'm heavily
invested in. I've known South Korea for their rich culture and tourism spots, and the news made
me want more. According to Mr. Ha-kyung Choi, President of the Korean Heritage Society,
numerous Korean heritage sites, properties, and items have been lost, damaged, and stolen for
the past 100 years or so because of Japanese colonization, the Korean War, and modernization.
One of those which I feel sorry for the most is the city walls that surrounded Seoul, which have
been destroyed. I imagined being the one building those; leaving behind a wonderful
contribution to the world, but finding out that my efforts end up being destroyed because I no
longer exists--- it hurts personally. Good thing that South Korea has been putting a lot of efforts
in preserving its treasures, specifically after the infamous arson in 2008, when the National
treasure Namdameun was burned down, which was eventually and fortunately rebuilt and
reopened five years later withincreased security.

The Citizens’ Cultural Treasure No. 1: The Choi Sunu House and Master of
Modern Art : Kwon Jin Kyu’s Atelier, as presented in the news, only prove that the government
with the help from the National Assembly, is effectively peserving and protecting Korean
heritage locations and items.

Through thoroughly looking at the video, I am in awe of the beauty of the two
mentioned heritages. I can't help but reminisce a past which was never mine to treasure in the
first place. I wonder how much those had witnessed--- how much laughter or sorrow are
carried upond the very details of those places. Set in the simple and curvy backstreets of Seoul
is a small house that is home to a rich of history and culture for almost 80 years. The legacy of
Choi Sunu remains there to tell a story, unheard by the ear but loud in the soul.

On the other side of the pole, it is not just the past that we are preserving but
also the beauty of today, for the future world. The Master of Modern Art : Kwon Jin Kyu’s
Atelier, represent the beauty and minimality of Korean Architecture in the 20th century. What I
like about this place is the fact that its interior has been left untouched since it was an active
studio. Kwon's art tools and his lecture timetable are aslo displayed along with the sculpture
made especially by the artist itself.

I would say, among the two, I prefer visiting Kwon Ji Kyu's atelier first. I love old
infrastructures, due to it sentiments, however I am very much interested seeing the art
materials used by the master of modern art. I also would love to go see the sculptures he made.

Monuments and historical heritage is a museum placed in every city. The

protection and preservation of those is an essential part of protecting our identity--- a sense of
who we are. It underlines the place we can't go back to, and the stories we can no longer hear.
It is the evidence of struggles, faith and unity. It is not just a simple architecture, for it holds,
arts, literature, rituals, culture, traditions; left by those who worked hard to be remembered.
Furthermore, we can never get hold of what's ahead, nor embrace the things in the present,
without acknowledging the past. Preserving the history of our's, is as same as preserving our
future.