The second-largest book shop in South Korea, the Bandi & Luni's lying under the Jongno Tower, which in turn is just above this station, is directly accessible from the station.
On every New Year's Day, the bell ceremony (Jeyaeui Jong Tajongsik) is held at Boshingak, the nearby bell pavilion. (The name of the station comes from this pavilion, jong meaning bell and gak pavilion.) At those times the area is so crowded with tens of thousands of Seoulites that trains do not stop at Jonggak as to avoid any accidents.