MBC Denies 'Dae Jang Geum 2' Is In Production

MBC has revealed that there is nothing confirmed with historical drama mogul producer-director Lee Byung Hoon with regards to production for 'Dae Jang Geum 2'.

A senior official with the station claimed that although there is "constant conversation" about the drama, there has yet to be "specific discussion on the company level." The official added, "Lee Byung Hoon is completely focused on the production for 'Horse Doctor', which is set to begin airing in September. Due to this, even if 'Dae Jang Geum 2' begins production, he will be filming 'Horse Doctor' until at least the beginning of next year." 

However, the official did not deny the production of 'Dae Jang Geum 2' itself, saying, "'Dae Jang Geum 2' has been a longtime project for MBC. I don't know when it will start production, but it will happen. Everyone has to be on board to move forward. We'll know whether it can be a next year's project around the end of the year."

MBC's stance on the production of 'Dae Jang Geum 2' comes in response to reports on Wednesday afternoon that Lee Byung Hoon would work with 'Dae Jang Geum' wrtier Kim Young Hun to begin production on 'Dae Jang Geum 2' with MBC, and that the prospects of the original series's lead actress Lee Young Ae joining the cast was "positive".

'Dae Jang Geum', which aired in 2003, was a hit historical drama based on Jang Geum, the first female royal physician in the history of the Chosun Dynasty. Led by actresses Lee Young Ae and Ji Jin Hee, the drama garnered an amazing average viewer rating of 41.6%. The drama's popularity spread to more than 60 countries including Japan, China, and others in Europe and the Middle East, bringing in an estimated 12 billion Won worldwide.