A Wrigley's Extra Gum advert is making people cry unexpectedly

The advert sees the love between a high school couple bloom

If the John Lewis Christmas adverts prove anything, it’s that an acoustic ballad and a plot that pulls at heart-strings are the perfect formula for a viral advert that doesn’t leave a dry eye in the house.

And the latest advert for Wrigley’s Extra Gum is no exception.

‘The Story of Sarah & Juan’ depicts a young couple who lock eyes at high school, and take on the trials of maintaining a relationship at the cusp of adulthood armed with a lot of minty gum.

The couple’s tender moments, including their first kiss, are set to a stripped-back version of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love with by American Idol contestant Haley Reinhart.

In the week since it was uploaded to YouTube, the advert has been watched over 6million times.

The advert is in the vein of Wrigley’s hugely popular 2013 Origami advert, where a father makes his daughter a paper swan each time they chew gum together.

Andrés Ordoñéz, the executive creative director of the Energy BBDO agency behind the advert, told AdWeek: “[It] is not about a specific relationship but about all moments of connection.

“This time we chose to focus on a love story. The chemistry between our lead actors was so good, people were tearing up on set during the first scene on day one. We knew we had a beautiful story to share.”

And while it remains unclear how many packets of gum the advert will shift, it has clearly been successful at reducing viewers to tears.

“I'm crying. At an extra ad. I'm in school,” YouTube user Peanut Butter & Jem wrote under the video.