‘Hello, Love, Goodbye’: 5 interesting facts to look back on

Now that the sequel to “Hello, Love, Goodbye” is confirmed to be happening, fans couldn’t help but wonder if there will be a happy ending for Joy (Kathryn Bernardo) and Ethan (Alden Richards).

Is Ethan going to follow Joy in Canada? Or is Joy returning to Hong Kong?

Before we get ahead of ourselves, allow us to look back on some interesting facts and histories made by “Hello, Love, Goodbye.”

1. It was Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo’s first film together

The year was 2019. Two stars on the rise, Alden and Kathryn, from two of the largest TV networks in the Philippines, GMA, and ABS-CBN, collided their worlds to offer a new on-screen love team, KathDen.

Back then, Alden and Kath had their respective love teams from their TV networks. It was all a leap of faith for the two to step out of their comfort zones and try a new on-screen love team, given the success of AlDub and KathNiel. 

Five years later, the “Hello, Love, Goodbye” craze is back; KathDen is back. And they're stronger than ever.

2. It was the Philippines’ highest-grossing Filipino film until 2022

The Cathy Garcia-Sampana film not only proved to be successful, but it made history as the Philippines’ highest-grossing Filipino film until 2022, earning a worldwide gross of P880.6 million.

In 2019, “Hello, Love, Goodbye” was also nominated as Best Asian Film in the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts, with the award-giving body praising the film as a “highly relatable romantic comedy” that “broke box office records, becoming the highest-grossing film ever produced in the Philippines.”

In 2023, “Rewind,” starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, took over the first spot of the highest-grossing Filipino film, with box office receipts amounting to P902 million.

3. The film was shot in Hong Kong

“Hello, Love, Goodbye” was entirely filmed in Hong Kong, and it heavily mirrored the harsh realities of Filipino OFWs making a living abroad. 

In the film, Joy is a domestic helper and Ethan is a bartender. Both actors underwent immersion to portray their roles as realistically as possible. 

"‘Yung immersion, nakatulong sa amin [na] mas mabibigyan namin ni Kath ng justice ‘yung pagiging OFW," Alden previously said.

"Ang daming learnings, siguro lalo ko na-appreciate ‘yung mga OFWs. Nakita ko kung gaano kahirap ‘yung ginagawa nila sa Hong Kong kasi mabilis. Mabilis lahat kasi kailangan nila mag-ipon," Kathryn added.

Among the famous Hong Kong spots featured in the film are Central Market, Lan Kwai Fong, Cheung Chau island, Victoria Harbour, and Avenue of Stars.

4. The film’s cast continued their friendship in real life

It’s been over five years since “Hello, Love, Goodbye” aired in the cinemas, but its cast maintained their friendship. 

In March, the cast, including Alden, Maymay Entrata, Kakai Bautista, and Lovely Abella, reunited at Kathryn’s 28th birthday in El Nido. Alden also attended another of Kathryn’s birthday parties after that, where he surprised her with a bouquet and a boxed gift.

In Alden’s latest cover story with Preview magazine, the Asia’s Multimedia Star said their “friendship never ended.”

“Naging solid din talaga 'yung samahan naming lahat,” he said.

5. “Hello, Love, Goodbye” is streaming on Netflix

For those who have not seen the film yet or simply want to relive the kilig moments of “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” the movie is now streaming on Netflix.

Earlier this month, Alden and Kath were named Box Office King and Box Office Queen of 2024.

Alden received the Box Office King award for his film “Five Breakups and A Romance,” which he top-billed with Julia Montes.

On the other hand, Kathryn received the Box Office Queen award for her most recent film, “A Very Good Girl,” where she starred alongside Hollywood breakout star Dolly De Leon.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News