Hello Stranger (2020)

absolutely beautiful go watch it

this has a typical enemies to lovers kinda vibe but there are wondeful layers to this drama due to such an amazing performance from the cast and the creative writing.

yes, it's very cute sO cute that it'll break your heart and it was bound to happen.

mico is someone who hasn't experienced falling in love and when xavier entered the picture, all emotions riled up. i can not fail to talk about how mico's actor beautifully portrayed his character; from the insecuities of not feeling one doesn't deserve the right to be loved and to a broken heart trying to get back up. the expressions and crying scene of mico coming out to his friends teared me up so hard.... it felt so natural, i honestly wanted to reach out and hug the guy.

xavier, someone who wasn't sure how to handle the situation but was already head over heels for mico. this guy was so used to not having a pair of ears that listens to his thoughts and worries. mico was the right person to make him realise there is someone to talk to and he is worthy to be heard of.

the girls !!! i'm so happy that this is the second filipino bl drama i watched with no toxic/villain female character. it's amazing to see that these female characters are written with thought and care, not just for a plot device or a catalyst to progress the story.

i was so used to those thai/chinese bls having revenge plots involving an ex girlfriend that i was kinda surprised with this one. i love how kokai has such a strong and understanding heart. she didn't brew or plot revenge on mico when she got rejected. instead, she realised they're better off as friends and there is someone else waiting for her. *cOugh* steph *cough* kaiseph is hella adorable btw.

same thing applies to crystal. at first, we saw her as the typical annoying girlfriend. it was so great to see her be mature enough to talk it out with xavier and end the relationship because she knew the guy likes someone else.

i'm really happy with all these filipino bl dramas coming out. i'm stoked to see more!!!

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Série pinoy de qualidade? Temos!

Em meio a um mar de péssimas séries Filipinas lançadas em 2020, temos Hello stranger como uma das poucas que deu certo. É uma série de pandemia como praticamente todas de 2020, tem um roteiro suave, sem dramas estrambólicos, personagens super cativantes e um elenco que tem uma ótima química. A série é fofa, cômica, reflexiva, traz muitos sentimentos à tona.

O roteiro foca em três temas que acabam se entrelaçando. O primeiro é a amizade de Mico e de seu grupo (me apaixonei por Kookaie pela professora). O segundo é o envolvimento gradual e delicado dele e Xavier, que no começo não se deram bem, mas se permitiram abrir o coração um para o outro. O terceiro é o relacionamento de Xavier com Crystal, e aqui existe uma grande falha... eles iniciaram um relacionamento quando Xavier ainda namorava, isso por si só já é algo reprovável, e Xavier não tem estrutura psicológica para dizer não à Crystal, ok, ela estava em um momento difícil, mas era melhor enganá-la e fingir que ainda a amava? A série deixa claro que Xavier estava confuso sobre sua sexualidade, e esse foi um dos fatores que causou a confusão, pois sendo Mico bem resolvido, não quis se colocar na posição de amante, e isso é louvável. Ainda bem que no final tudo se resolve, mas eu achei que deveria ter tido um beijão no encontro, já que ambos estavam negativados para COVID, deveriam aproveitar não é? Outro ponto interessante, é que não sabemos nada sobre as famílias dos personagens, e o mais estranho é que apesar de ser uma série de pandemia, ninguém fala em pandemia (???).

Achei a atuação dos protagonistas muito boa, inclusive, na hora da apresentação do trabalho da escola eu chorei com eles. O resto do elenco também atua bem, é necessário entender que a atuação filipina é meio que singular...

Nos aspectos técnicos, sinto que foi bem melhor que a maioria das séries pinoy, tivemos uma boa continuidade, fotografia, filmografia, ost.

Enfim, acho que eu poderia ver mil vezes sem cansar! Recomendo muito, amo essa série, e o filme também é ótimo, inclusive tenho resenha dele aqui no MDL.

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Cute!

I finished this in one go. It was just so cute and fluffy omg! It reminded me of my past crushes, and how intense the feelings can be. I couldn't stop smiling throughout the drama. But i cried too :D
I gave the story a 7, because it's a trope we've all seen numerous times, but i like the twist of it being digital. You can definitely feel the awkwardness of first meetings with someone you don't know, and on top of that don't have a good opinion on. Tho, Xavier's and Miko's interactions just go to show that we really shouldn't be too quick to judge. An added bonus is NO toxic females, no unnecessary drama!

I was melting with Miko, as he was slowly realizing he had feelings for Xavier, and the little panic attacks he had while talking/listening about him. Mikos dream and confession were so relatable xD Tho, ngl i was worried Xavier would turn out to be a jerk, i am so glad to be proven wrong.

I must say, episode 4 has my heart, it has all of my uwus XD

Given the limitations and the number of episodes , it pretty good. Actors are super cute too, and they portrayed their roles nicely :D

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BL angkatan corona

Tahun 2020 menjadi tahun PSBB alias di rumah lebih baik, bL ini mengisahkan tentang seorang mahasiswa bernama Mico Ramos (Mico) yang kebetulan ditugaskan dalam sebuah proyek tugas kuliah bersama seorang pria agak kurang memperhatikan kuliahnya dan merupakan mahasiswa lama bernama Xavier de Guzman (Xavier). Dua main role ini mempunya karakter yang berbeda, di mana Mico adalah orang yang rajin, serius, agak pemalu dan fokus belajar. Sedangkan, Xavier adalah seorang yang santai, tidak terlalu memikirkan kuliahnya, senang bergurau dan friendly. Ketika mereka berada di satu kelompok yang sama, hal ini menjadi menarik dan memercikan chemistry yang bagus. Kita dapat melihat bahwa Xavier mempunyai perasaan yang berbeda kepada Mico dan Mico pun perlahan tumbuh perasaan suka, walaupun Xavier sebenarnya punya teman wanita bernama Crystal. Bagaimana kisah mereka? Saksikan seriesnya di YouTube. Momen terbaik series ini adalah saat penampilan drama secara online dan pertemuan mereka di dunia nyata. Ada beberapa tokoh pendukung cerita yang membuat cerita menjadi lebih menarik, lalu ada masalah cinta segitiga dan tentunya perasaan denial. Saya merekomendasikan series ini karena selain dikemas secara ringkas dan sederhana, chemistry yang ditampilkan oleh mereka unik karena di tampilkan dalam bentuk camera web-cam .

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A light, heartwarming story that doesn't pretend to be something that it is not

Hello Stranger is a light series that has that coming-of-age vibe to it, something in the likes of most books in the young adult genre. Miko and Xavier's struggles are easily relatable, because we have all been in their shoes: trying to find their own melody and them finally doing their waltz once the melody is found. Chemistry is also undeniable. The supporting characters' subplot, however, sometimes feel unnecessary and anticlimactic, so I find myself skipping/fast-forwarding. I marveled at the highlight on the themes of friendship and self-awareness. The last two episodes were the best and to give praise to these episodes without spoiling, I would say they're worth the rather slow (but bearable) pace of the first act.

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Thank you Xavier and Mico for making me fall in love all over again.

I wanted kilig and they delivered. I was not expecting this much chemistry!!!

I live for BL kisses well-delivered but I am not even mad this has none. That hug? Aaaggghhhhh! I felt it through my screen.

I was squirming and biting my pillow while watching their cute interactions. I cried every freaking time Mico cries. JC is one hell of an actor. Tony alone can drown the screen with charm but this show did not stop there - Seph and Kookai is super cute, Junjun is heaven sent and Crystal (bless her, may she find someone too). Let's not forget Miss Tina Moran's iconic lines hahahaha

The length of each episode is just right. The angst will make you frustrated and the cute moments will make you squeal. The perfect light and fluffy romance.

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Very Relatable and a Heart Warming series

The simplicity of the story yet the writer gave us the roller coaster of emotions made me love this series. Its very relatable depicting real life struggle yet with comedic skits in between will let you experience the laughs and cries. The chemistry of the characters are perfect, i love the cinematography and editing. Plus that these actors are good singers too. Also love the Pinoy take on BL giving different flavors to it, please let us not forget that the backbone of the script is a poem "Sa Kasintahang Nilimot Na" by Benilda S. Santos. Well written and i love how they inject the poem and made such a high quality series. Highly recommended.

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Super Cute

This is a short, sweet and simple story line of the wave of BL's that have come out recently. I like that it's not all about the pandemic. I like that the girlfriend didn't turn out to be a psycho like so many BL's where they are shallow and want revenge. In the beginning, the gf did seem shallow and self-centered but then you realize that it was a failing and unfulfilling relationship. The friends were cool and added to the storyline. I did not think I would enjoy a BL series where they were virtual for almost the whole series AND no kissing but I did. The emotional chemistry and quality of acting between the two leads was really good and kept me satisfied. During this stressful times I really am gravitating to uplifting shows. It also never used the word gay but love. I think it's well worth watching especially for those new to BL.

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this is my 3rd Pino BL and it doesn't disappoint - in each BL we had totally different types of gays. and i mention this, not cause its astounding. but i'm so used to seeing more or less the same types portrayed in BL's that its refreshing to see the variety here - showing u that u can't pigeonhole people, just cause of their sexual orientation - they just people from all walks of life -

but have to say didn't like Mico - tough character to like, its not that he's bad, just personality wise he is self-centered and narcissistic. everyone tends to sympathize with the nerdy gay that has just realized his sexual orientation, someone who is portrayed as the underdog. but in spite of everything Mico is anything but an underdog. and there was some mention / hints of family problems (guess a kind of expiation / excuse for his personality) which came to not... and the little u hear of his mother - she comes off mean. making u feel sorry for Mico. but when u see his actions and attitude, he so isn't the weak pushover that is being taken advantage off.
if anything the one that stole the show (for me) was Xavier - this dude - wow. first off his smile alone is infectious. and then u add his personality, sweet, funny, fun, loving, caring, understanding, strong and flirtatious (but not in a sleazy "i know i'm so hot" way- which he so is :D) more a natural - its freakin oozing from his pores way. and top this all off by being a genuinely good human-being who is also vulnerable and has a sad side - who can help but fall for this big fluffy puppy?!?

it was too short and i feel like Mico was undeserving of his friend's or Xavier, like i mentioned he tends to look at life as in "how this gonna benefit me" attitude - heck his whole outlook is revolving around himself, and maybe its understandable when u think about his family and all that mess - but who doesn't have baggage?? and yet almost every character could put their needs, worries even hurt to the side and treat the individual in front of them with respect and care. giving not only taking.
even the big heartache scene was caused by Mico - where he was so worried he was going to get hurt, he rushed to "run over" Xavier, not even noticing he was left "bloody and broken" - he was to involved in throwing himself a pity party.
and yet this was good and yeah a rewatch - heck need me a daily fix of Xavier's smile, even seeing more of Kookai and Seph budding romance, and last but not least Junjun's quirky personality -

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Predictable

well to be honest i only watched this because of Tony, but so disappointed with the story line which somehow affected their acting execution of the scenes. it's kinda predictable, cliche, unstable and again story is not that great. i think the only reason why most people watched this is because the actors are attractive. and beauty cant get this series far. i was so disappointed with the story build up and it left you hanging. i was not engrossed with the characters and the story, only with their faces. hahahahaha. but to be fair the actors have chemistry but somehow in some scenes there are unnoticeable awkwardness. i love seeing chuchai and patrick. im getting the kilig vibes from them rather than the main actors.

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Best of the Pinoy BL bunch

"Hello Stranger" is the BEST of the bunch, I think. It's realistic, relatable, and passionate. It's oozing with "kilig" factor, proving that s3x isn't at all a magic pill to have a sizzling BL series. The real magic lies in the ACTING (much credit goes to Tony Labrusca), the PLOT (simple yet sophisticated, unlike most BL's that are either empty or shallow), and above all the DIALOGUE & EDITING. The editing is superb in many ways: it's compact-- leaving no slack time; it doesn't give you everything in one plate or in a boring predictable lineup of events from A-Z, but maintains a sufficient amount of thrill and surprise in each succeeding episode (one example is the root cause of the lead actors ending up as partners in a school project); and the TIMING-- evolving from the easy to more complicated scenes without losing coherence till the end. The episodes are stitched so well they make a solid whole. "Hello Stranger" comes in 2 parts: Hello Stranger TV Series (8 episodes, can view or download from YouTube), and Hello Stranger The Movie (sequel to the TV Series). I find the TV Series more romantic and memorable.

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Hello, Love!

Remember, when reading reviews...
That review is only good for the person who wrote it.
Please do not skip a series/movie simply because you saw a negative review.
That said, Hello Stranger, is the BL quality I enjoy.
It subtracts sex, lust, the need to be physical, love triangles, & confusion.
It simply addresses real life emotions & events. Tugs at the heart.
A story told...hmm...coherently. Actors with chemistry who were passionate.
This series should be included in the every BL list as a mainstay.
We should rewatch/revisit this title often as a reminder....

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