There’s much more to Joy and Ethan than meets the eye in “Hello, Love, Goodbye”!

Not only have they come across as complex, driven, and relatable characters, but it turns out that a lot of effort went on behind the scenes to bring them to life. Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards went the extra mile to embody every nuance of their roles, from adapting their daily routines to perfecting specific looks that made Joy and Ethan unforgettable.

With the highly anticipated sequel “Hello, Love, Again” on the way, these details make us even more excited to see how Joy and Ethan have evolved over the years.

If you’re curious about what made these characters feel so real, here’s a list of behind-the-scenes secrets that’ll make you love Joy and Ethan even more.

To get into character as an OFW, Kathryn met with real-life domestic helpers in Hong Kong.

Kathryn wanted to do more than just play a character; she wanted to understand Joy’s world from the ground up. Spending time with Hong Kong’s domestic helpers gave her a glimpse into their real lives and struggles.

Kathryn had to wake up before her call time to cook for the film’s staff and crew.

Kathryn didn’t just act like an OFW when the cameras were rolling; she lived it by cooking for the crew every morning before her call time! This early morning routine, as instructed by director Cathy Garcia-Sampana, was a way for Kathryn to connect to Joy's hardworking nature.

Kathryn had to give up her phone to fully immerse herself in her role.

To get into Joy’s headspace, Kathryn had to cut off the conveniences of her usual life, particularly her phone. Because of this "no-phone" rule, Kathryn could stay in character and connect profoundly with Joy’s isolation and independence in a foreign city.

Joy’s style was a significant departure from Kathryn’s usual glam, with toned-down styling and repeated outfits.

Joy’s wardrobe was all about practicality. Kathryn wore simple outfits, like plain shirts and pants, on repeat. This stripped-down look definitely gave Joy a down-to-earth vibe.

Alden was thrilled to play Ethan, a far cry from his previous “good boy” roles.

Known for his boy-next-door roles, Alden gamely took on the challenge of playing a flawed yet charismatic guy. Fans got to see a new side of Alden as he showed a side to him different from his usual clean-cut image.

Alden trained for two days to learn the basics of bartending.

To nail Ethan’s bartending skills, Alden spent two solid days learning all the bartending basics: pouring, shaking, and mixing drinks. It paid off on screen and made Ethan even more fun to watch when he was at the bar.

Ethan’s tattoos were Alden’s idea, and the designs came from the production team.

To add depth to Ethan’s character, Alden suggested that he should have tattoos. The production team came up with designs that would resonate with Ethan’s backstory. This creative collaboration brought out another side of Ethan that hinted at his layers beneath the “player” persona.

Kathryn and Alden’s dedication to “Hello, Love, Goodbye" was truly on another level! Ready to see how they reprise their roles as Joy and Ethan in “Hello, Love, Again”, directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana? Mark your calendars for November 13 — “Hello, Love, Again” is showing exclusively in cinemas nationwide!

You can watch the full STAR CINEMA LIST episode on Star Cinema’s YouTube channel, via this link:

Watch the OFFICIAL TRAILER of “Hello, Love, Again” on Star Cinema’s YouTube channel, via this link:

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