Hello Stranger (Kuan Meun Ho) กวน มึน โฮ

Hello Stranger (Kuan Meun Ho) กวน มึน โฮ
Director: Banjong Pisanthanakun
Starring: Chantawich Thanasewi, Nuengtida Sophon

Release Date in Thailand: 19 August 2010

Hello Stranger is a romantic comedy Inspired by Korean culture and entertainment that fluxed around Asia. It tells a uniquely fun love story that developed between a guy and a girl who were destined to meet in Seoul during their private trip to South Korea.

According to net sources, “Hello Stranger” was director Banjong's first romantic film, which was inspired by the book “Two Shadows in Korea” (Song Ngao Nai Kao Li) by author Songkalot Bangyikhun. It grossed TH฿125 million (US$4 million) on its local screening in Thailand.

Lead characters Thanasewi and Sophon perfectly portrayed the roles of two complete strangers with different love circumstances who toured South Korea and eventually ending up falling for eachother on their brief rendezvous.

The two main characters decide to tour Korea together after the lead actor unfortunately missed his tour group which was composed of paired lovers that he irritated with his obnoxious remarks.

While on tour, the two kept their names secret from each other so the level of openness between them will be much easier to tolerate and hence, they can both enjoy eachother’s company without getting too attached. However, they decided to give pet names for eachother; Thanasewi was called “Daang” which literally translates to “dog” in Thai because he slept like a rotten dog on the sidewalk when the lead female character (aliased as May) first met him.

Hello Stranger is one of the recent Thai movie offerings milking on the romantic comedy genre, a popularly time-tested box-office hit maker genre that most Korean movies have been known for in the international film scene. It’s Thailand’s top movie offering for 2010 ahead of another popular Thai romantic comedy- themed “First Love.”

The movie was almost entirely filmed in Korea and it featured various set locations that have appeared in internationally popular Korean soap operas/dramas the likes of: Jewel in the Palace, Winter’s Sonata, Stairway to Heaven, among others, that were broadcasted all over Asia which included: Namiseom (Nami) Island, Changdeokgung Palace, Jeju Island, and Teddy Bear Island.

 

Aside from experiencing Korea’s amazing tourist destinations, urban metropolis and countryside escapes, the two also showcased its rich culture, highlighting old custom and tradition through attending a lavish traditional wedding of May’s online Korean friend and a street festival, and they’ve gotten a taste of its varied delicacies from bizarre street food to yummy looking home cooked meals. They also experienced firsthand Korea’s lifestyle through a night of club partying, shopping, betting and eventually winning in a casino, and even played out a scene from one of Korea’s sappy soap opera with an impersonator who looked just like its lead star. They also got to see, feel and even taste real snow!

Hello Stranger’s plot was atypical in its presentation of a modern fairy tale love story because it was abreast with the current trend since youngsters these days are more aggressive in traveling and exploring tourist destinations abroad utilizing only the powerful information sources from the web and usually relying deeply to foreign strangers’ accounts in social networks, blogs and the instant messengers.

Both of the actors have played their parts quite well which set the film’s light-hearted and fun mood. They were notably convincing in their individual portrayals which also gave the film a spark.

The story telling was fluid and smooth eliminating dead-end scenes that are mostly associated with romantic films. But despite its being a comedy, it will not fail to give you some strong dose of drama but in the right places and on a proper timing. Although the age bracket for this movie could be limited to a younger audience because of the young leads, many (even the old ones) can still relate to its story in some ways.

Hello Stranger is definitely one romantic, feel-good movie any hopeless romantic movie geek would surely appreciate because of its light tone and innocently hilarious humor plus the breathtaking sights and spectacles of South Korea for a treat!

To find out more about the film and to download its torrent, visit: http://www.avistaz.com/movies/2011/hello-stranger-thai-2010.html

To watch the official trailer, see this You Tube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6qZ3PUvzsc&feature=related