Upon release in 2019, the romantic drama “Hello, Love, Goodbye” was the highest-grossing Philippine film of all time. (It was surpassed by the time-traveling romance “Rewind” earlier this year.) Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, the film chronicles the struggles of overseas Filipino worker Joy (Kathryn Bernardo) who wishes to earn enough money as a domestic helper in Hong Kong so she can move to Canada for better employment opportunities.
She eventually meets the cocky but sweet bartender Ethan (Alden Richards) whose growing affection for Joy puts an end to his wayward womanizing. The two bond over their respective familial woes and professional dreams as expats with fluid conceptions of “home.” Before Joy departs for Canada, they confess their love and promise to meet again .
The film’s sequel, also helmed by Garcia-Molina , fulfills the promise that Joy and Ethan made to each other, but predictably not without its share of complications. Primarily set in 2024, “Hello, Love, Again” presents Joy as a confident, successful caretaker living in Calgary. In between studying to become a nurse, and debating a move to the United States, she helps secure domestic cash jobs for other members of the Filipino community who attempt to transition from temporary to permanent Canadian residents.
Joy’s relatively comfortable status quo becomes disrupted when Ethan reenters her life after their relationship fell apart a few years prior. Much like “Hello, Love Goodbye,” .
