Actress Sung Yu-ri is returning to the big screen as a grieving sister in her next drama film, “A Boy’s Sister.”

The former idol star made her film debut in 2009, as a Korean-American adoptee who returns to Korea in Joo Ji-hong’s “Maybe.” She also starred in this year’s comedy “Runway Cop” as a fashion designer who gets involved in a drug case.

In her upcoming movie, Sung stars as Yoon-hee, whose late brother died while trying to rescue her from flood waters many years ago. She is deeply traumatized by the event and finds it difficult to go outside whenever the weather is rainy.

The plot of the film develops as Yoon-hee gets her wallet stolen by an angry, unstable teen, Jin-ho. Yoon-hee is desperate to get her wallet back, as she’s been keeping the only remaining photo of her late brother inside it.

Sung is participating in this low-budget movie without payment.

“I wanted to try something new and the pay wasn’t as important to me,” said Sung through the PR agency of the film. “This film has a heartwarming message for everyone and I hope a lot of people will see it in theaters.”

“A Boy’s Sister” opens in local theaters on Jan. 3.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)