South Korea‘s second-largest TV network MBC said Monday it will make a sequel to its hit epic series “Daejanggeum,” which triggered the latest boom in the popularity of Korean culture in China and other Asian countries.

“We will make Daejanggeum 2 next year,” the network said in a statement, adding that its president recently visited China for talks with his counterpart in China’s Hunan TV on cooperation over the new drama series.

Hunan TV, which aired the Korean TV drama series also known as “Jewel in the Palace” for the first time in China in 2005, has shown an intent to purchase and invest in the sequel series prior to its production, MBC said.

But company officials said nothing has been decided regarding the production of “Daejanggeum 2,” including the producer and the cast.

Starring Lee Young-ae, the 2003-2004 drama series tells the tale of an orphaned kitchen cook who went on to become the king‘s first female physician.

The show drew nearly 46.2 percent of viewers in South Korea and was later exported overseas to heighten the popularity of Korean pop culture. (Yonhap News)