Hello Stranger (film)

Hello Stranger
movie poster
Directed by	Banjong Pisanthanakun
Written by	Chantavit Dhanasevi
Starring	Chantavit Dhanasevi Nuengthida Sophon
Distributed by	GMM Tai Hub
Release dates	19 August 2010 (2010-08-19)
Country	Thailand
Language	Thai
Box office	$4,413,745^[1]

Hello Stranger (Thai: กวน มึน โฮ, RTGS: Kuan Muen Ho) is a 2010 romantic-comedy Thai film produced by Banjong Pisanthanakun, starring Chantavit Dhanasevi (Thai: ฉันทวิชช์ ธนะเสวี) and Nuengthida Sophon (Thai: หนึ่งธิดา โสภณ). It was Banjong's first romantic film, which was inspired by the book Two Shadows in Korea (Thai: สองเงาในเกาหลี, Song Ngao Nai Kao Li) by Songkalot Bangyikhun (Thai: ทรงกลด บางยี่ขัน).^[2]

Hello Stranger portrays a young Thai man and woman who meet by coincidence while on vacation in South Korea. They decide to tour Korea together while keeping their names secret from each other. The movie was filmed in Korea and includes various locations that have appeared in Korean dramas that were broadcast in Thailand.

The cast, the director, and the musical group 25 Hours (Thai: ทเวนตีไฟฟ์อาวส์) performed the song Nice Not to Know You (Thai: ยินดีที่ไม่รู้จัก, Yin Di Thi Mai Ru Chak).

Cast

Chantavit Dhanasevi (Thai: ฉันทวิชช์ ธนะเสวี) as young man with the alias Dang (Thai: ด่าง)
Nuengthida Sophon (Thai: หนึ่งธิดา โสภณ) as young woman with the alias May (Thai: เมย์)
Warutaya Nilakhuha (Thai: วรัทยา นิลคูหา) as Goi (Thai: ก้อย)
Paradee 'Tuktik' Mamuangthaisong as young woman with very white skin
Pakjira 'Tukta' Mamuangthaisong as young Thai woman with a mafia Thai boyfriend.

Production

Theme Songs

The song Nice Not to Know You was performed by 25 Hours. The song title is a play on the Thai introductory phrase from "Yin Dee Tee Dai Roo Juk," meaning "Nice to know you," to "Yin Dee Tee Mai Roo Juk", meaning "Nice not to know you." Its music video, directed by Nithiwat Tharathorn, stars the actors Chantavit and Nuengthida.^[3] Nuengthida also sang the theme song Love Doesn't Need Time (Thai: รักไม่ต้องการเวลา, Ruk Mai Tong Gan We La), originally by Klear (Thai: เคลียร์).

Awards

Hello Stranger had its international premiere at 2011 (6th) Osaka Asian Film Festival in Osaka, Japan and won 2 awards from the festival including "Most Promising Talent Award" for the director, Banjong Pisanthanakun and "ABC Award" or Asahi Broadcasting Corporation Award which is a sponsor award given to the most entertaining film among films in the Competition.^[4] Banjong and Chantavit represented all the casts & crews at the festival.

The film was also screened at 2011 Shanghai International Film Festival in Shanghai, China and the lead actor, Chantavit Dhanasevi, became one of the 10 actors to receive "Star Hunter Award".^[5]

Reception

Hello Stranger was commercially successful. After its release on August 19, 2010, the film went on to gross 130 million baht in Thailand and became one of the most successful movies ever by GTH (at that time). The film was also screened in various Asian countries including Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, and Taiwan.