It’s surprising how underestimated the value of reflection is. Indeed, in such a fast-paced, demanding society, dwelling on the past may be considered retroactive, unproductive, and even indolent. However, if our identities are nothing but the accumulation of past experiences, a throwback to who we once were – whether it be on the individual level or the society as a whole – seems a venture worth having for us to maintain or develop our sense of self. Thus, for the September Issue, the Photo Division of The Granite Tower (GT) embarked to capture different takes on the journey of throwbacks.

Yun Sunwoo

Elementary schools hold a dear place in most people’s hearts, as it reminds us of a time when we were innocent, scrappy little kids just barely getting by. I live a mere five minutes away from my childhood elementary school, yet this was the first time in ten years that I actually thought of re-visiting it. And I’m glad I did.

Going back, I was shocked at how much had changed and also hadn’t changed at the same time, and my memories from when I was an elementary school kid all just came rushing back. Returning to my former school rekindled a lot of nostalgia for me; I found myself trying to capture not only the building’s exterior but also the treasured souvenir that is my childhood. Hopefully, it shows in the pictures I took that day.

Jeon Hye Seo

Although having an eye on the future is important, taking a backward glance at Korea’s past is also meaningful. Formerly named Hanyang in Joseon Dynasty, Seoul has become one of the bustling cities throughout the world, going through several developments and reformations. Nevertheless, through looking at exhibitions of Treasures of Hanyang, I dived into looking at important features of back days in Seoul and Hanyang in hindsight. Inspired by September’s main theme, I captured the throwback of the old days of Hanyang and Seoul by setting off on a journey to the Seoul Museum of History .

Kim Minji

Despite the few years that have passed since high school graduation, its memories always come flooding back whenever preparations for tutoring take place. Ranging from similar materials chosen for Korean college entrance exams to personal tips on specific questions, years of accumulated knowledge and experience are utilized to deliver the best for tutored students. In this sense, tutoring is always an opportunity for a throwback, reminiscing on enduring studying sessions during high school. For the September issue, I captured moments of how throwback is applied in tutoring.