Topological photonics uses synthetic optical materials to emulate topological phenomena in wave physics. It offers opportunities for both fundamental physics and practical technologies, beyond just robustness. Topological photonic systems leverage materials like waveguide arrays, photonic crystals, and metamaterials to produce light states with nontrivial topology. Since the first prediction and experimental realization of topological photonic systems, the field has grown rapidly, driven by the robustness of topological phenomena. This robustness allows for resistance to disorder and imperfections, making topological photonic systems more reliable than conventional devices. Additionally, photonics enables the integration of new features like nonlinearity, non-Hermiticity, and multiphysics, opening new opportunities beyond condensed matter systems. Examples include topological solitons, non-Hermitian topological phases, and topological polaritons. One of the strongest motivations for topological photonics is the robustness of topological boundary modes. These modes can avoid backscattering and reflection from defects, offering unique opportunities for photonic technologies. However, achieving this robustness requires breaking time-reversal symmetry (TRS), which is challenging in integrated platforms. Materials with stronger magneto-optical properties or faster temporal modulation may help achieve truly robust systems. Non-Hermitian topological phases and nonlinear effects also offer new paths for robust transport. Symmetry-protected topological systems rely on spatial symmetries, such as those in photonic crystals, to enable robust transport. These systems can support optical modes with nontrivial spatial structures, leading to topological bandgaps and pseudo-spin-polarized boundary modes. Rotational symmetries can also be used to create optical modes with transverse orbital momentum, offering new tools for structured light on chip. Light-matter interactions and topological polaritons further expand the possibilities of topological photonics. Despite its long history, topological photonics is still in its infancy, with many unique features only recently gaining attention. Robustness is just one aspect of topological properties, and the field should explore broader opportunities for both fundamental physics and practical applications. The use of terminology from condensed matter physics has sometimes led to misconceptions, but symmetry-protected topological systems can offer resilience to defects and disorder, especially in quasi-2D systems. New symmetries, including those in synthetic dimensions, may further enhance robust photonic transport. Topological photonics has the potential to revolutionize photonic technologies, offering new opportunities for robust transport, structured light, and advanced optical devices. The field is still evolving, with many exciting prospects for future research and applications.Topological photonics uses synthetic optical materials to emulate topological phenomena in wave physics. It offers opportunities for both fundamental physics and practical technologies, beyond just robustness. Topological photonic systems leverage materials like waveguide arrays, photonic crystals, and metamaterials to produce light states with nontrivial topology. Since the first prediction and experimental realization of topological photonic systems, the field has grown rapidly, driven by the robustness of topological phenomena. This robustness allows for resistance to disorder and imperfections, making topological photonic systems more reliable than conventional devices. Additionally, photonics enables the integration of new features like nonlinearity, non-Hermiticity, and multiphysics, opening new opportunities beyond condensed matter systems. Examples include topological solitons, non-Hermitian topological phases, and topological polaritons. One of the strongest motivations for topological photonics is the robustness of topological boundary modes. These modes can avoid backscattering and reflection from defects, offering unique opportunities for photonic technologies. However, achieving this robustness requires breaking time-reversal symmetry (TRS), which is challenging in integrated platforms. Materials with stronger magneto-optical properties or faster temporal modulation may help achieve truly robust systems. Non-Hermitian topological phases and nonlinear effects also offer new paths for robust transport. Symmetry-protected topological systems rely on spatial symmetries, such as those in photonic crystals, to enable robust transport. These systems can support optical modes with nontrivial spatial structures, leading to topological bandgaps and pseudo-spin-polarized boundary modes. Rotational symmetries can also be used to create optical modes with transverse orbital momentum, offering new tools for structured light on chip. Light-matter interactions and topological polaritons further expand the possibilities of topological photonics. Despite its long history, topological photonics is still in its infancy, with many unique features only recently gaining attention. Robustness is just one aspect of topological properties, and the field should explore broader opportunities for both fundamental physics and practical applications. The use of terminology from condensed matter physics has sometimes led to misconceptions, but symmetry-protected topological systems can offer resilience to defects and disorder, especially in quasi-2D systems. New symmetries, including those in synthetic dimensions, may further enhance robust photonic transport. Topological photonics has the potential to revolutionize photonic technologies, offering new opportunities for robust transport, structured light, and advanced optical devices. The field is still evolving, with many exciting prospects for future research and applications.