An archetypal story of a rock band on the rise, Jungle Story recounts the early years of the fictitious, underground group, the Yun Do-Hyun Band (led by real-life rock star Do-Hyun Yun). Do-Hyun drops out of school to search for success in the music business, but becomes frustrated when the recording of his album is put on hold because it is not considered commercial enough by record executives. Kim Hong-Jun avoids the trappings of the familiar music business narrative by remaining honest to his subject and using a compelling visual style to present the musician’s performances.

A hoodlum Dongpal (Jae-Sung Choi), a labor union activist Keeyoung (Cha) and an amateur writer Yujin (Jee-Hyung Lee) are three fugitives who stumble upon a hiding place at a comic book rental shop in a working-class district in Seoul. Run by a beautiful shop owner named “Madam” (Choi), the place serves as a shelter for people who cannot afford to stay at a hotel, as long as they can pay a “midnight charge.” As the days go by, an intricate web of relationships develops among the guests leading to explosive results.