Singapore-listed production house, G.H.Y Culture & Media Holding’s Tianjin Changxin Film and Media and Chinese streamer iQiyi are returning "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty 2: To the West” (唐朝诡事录之西行) in a co-production agreement disclosed this morning.

Season two, which goes into production this year, runs alongside aggressive IP spin-off plans, including short-form drama based on specific characters and plot lines and a live-action game.

The first season of the mystery/action period drama premiered on iQiyi in September 2022, followed by spin-off short-form drama series, "Su Wuming of the Tang Dynasty" (大唐来的苏无名).

G.H.Y said in today's announcement that the return of the series was a part of a plan to embrace the supernatural genre as part of its business strategy as well as to “maximise the potential and economic value” of the IP in its portfolio.

“The IP Franchise business strategy aims to create innovative content whilst retaining continuity, in order to make each production a recognisable part of a coherent franchise,” the company said.

G.H.Y said the new series would not have a material impact on its earnings per share or net tangible assets per share for the current financial year.