An exhibition on species near extinction is showing at Gahoe-dong 31-79, a hanok owned and restored by David and Jade Kilburn, who campaign to preserve traditional architecture in the area.

“Endangered Species” features work by wildlife photographer Choi Ki-soon, making a comparison between Korea’s endangered cats and the Korean hanok, or traditional building.

“Mankind admires, respects them, yet has also driven these noble beasts towards the point of extinction,” said the gallery in a press release.

“So, too, with the hanok. Once the traditional home for all Koreans, hanok are now rapidly disappearing from Korea as people migrate to apartment blocks and urban development relentlessly demolishes them.

“Hanok, which were once a central part of Korean culture, are now as endangered as the great cats.”

The exhibition continues until Friday at the venue in Bukchon. Opening hours are noon until 5 p.m.

For more information on hanok or the exhibition, visit www.kahoidong.com.

(paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)