IT only took one minute and 30 seconds for Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo to shatter viewers’ hearts through their forthcoming film “Hello, Love, Again.”
On Wednesday, Star Cinema released the official teaser of the highly anticipated comeback of the Richards-Bernardo tandem to the big screen, featuring the on-screen couple facing the challenge of a long-distance relationship.
The clip, which opened with December Avenue’s heartbreaking anthem “Kung ‘Di Rin Lang Ikaw,” showed Joy (played by Bernardo) chasing her dream in Canada. Ethan (played by Richards), on the other hand, continues to live his life in Hong Kong.
“I miss my Joy here in Hong Kong,” says Ethan.
“Andyan pa rin kaya ako—sa puso mo,” responds Joy.
Ethan also tells Joy that he looks forward to the future with her.
But the question is: will their love for each other transcend distance?
The teaser then showed Joy entering a cafè where Ethan serves as a barista. But Joy, who shows up with a new look, is no longer the person she used to be as she introduces herself to Ethan as “Marie.”
“Hello! One hot Americano, tall,” says Joy.
“One hot Americano for Joy,” confirms Ethan.
“For Marie,” Joy corrects him.
The clip ended with Joy saying, “Joy is gone.”
Directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, “Hello, Love, Again” will premiere in Philippine cinemas on November 13.
2.9-M views
An hour after the official teaser was released, Star Cinema reported that it gained 2.9 million views.
“Grabe kayo magmahal ulit!” it said.
“Thank you for bringing love back to our Ethan and… ay wait, it’s Marie na pala,” it added.
The film’s official teaser was released more than five years after its prequel “Hello, Love,” Goodbye,” the first movie team-up of Bernardo and Richards, premiered.
The 2019 romance film featured Joy as a domestic helper in Hong Kong who met Ethan who worked as a bartender. The two eventually became friends as they navigated life overseas.
“Hello, Love, Goodbye” ended with Joy leaving for Canada.
Bernardo also shared the teaser on X (formerly Twitter), with the question, “Paano nga ba?”
Meanwhile, many netizens turned emotional after watching the teaser, with some anticipating that the film would bring tears to their eyes.
‘Hello, Love, Again’ preparations
It was in May 2024 when ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema and GMA Pictures confirmed that Bernardo and Richards would reprise their roles as Joy and Ethan, respectively, in “Hello, Love, Again.”
The sequel is the first big screen project between the two production companies.
They released a teaser for the upcoming movie, featuring Joy and Ethan crossing paths in Canada.
In June, Richards, along with Joross Gamboa and Jeffrey Tam, flew to Hong Kong to film “Hello, Love, Again.”
A month later, Bernardo left for Canada to gear up for the forthcoming movie.
