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Journey to the West
Overview
Journey to the West is a Hong Kong television series adapted from the classical novel of the same title. Starring Dicky Cheung, Kwong Wah, Wayne Lai and Evergreen Mak, the series was produced by TVB and was first broadcast on TVB Jade in Hong Kong in November 1996. A sequel, Journey to the West II, was broadcast in 1998, but the role of the Monkey King was played by Benny Chan instead, due to contract problems between Dicky Cheung and TVB. Cheung later reprised the role in another television series The Monkey King: Quest for the Sutra, which was broadcast on TVB but not produced by the station.
Status
Ended
Network
TVB Jade
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
Episodes
The Stone Monkey Breaks Free from the Rock
The stone monkey is born from a magic rock and disturbs the heavens with his power. The Jade Emperor imprisons him under the Five-Finger Mountain to atone for his arrogance.
Tian Peng and Wu Gang Compete for Chang’e
Tian Peng and Wu Gang both fall for the moon goddess Chang’e, leading to jealousy and chaos in heaven. Meanwhile, the monkey learns from a great master and becomes Sun Wukong.
Wukong’s Death Approaches
Wukong trains for decades to master immortality and learns the seventy-two transformations. He escapes the underworld by tricking the King of Hell and alters the Book of Life and Death.
Wukong Is Punished
Wukong becomes keeper of the heavenly stables but grows rebellious when mocked by other immortals. He quits heaven in anger, leading the Jade Emperor to declare him an outlaw.
Wukong Cannot Escape the Buddha’s Five-Finger Mountain
Wukong wreaks havoc in heaven and steals the peaches of immortality. The Buddha traps him beneath a mountain for five hundred years as punishment.
Tian Peng Falls into the Realm of Beasts
Tian Peng is banished to earth and accidentally reincarnates into the body of a pig. Rescued by Guanyin, he becomes Zhu Bajie, destined to help the future scripture pilgrim.
Tripitaka Takes Wukong and Bajie as Disciples
The monk Tang Sanzang begins his pilgrimage and frees Wukong from his mountain prison. He also recruits Bajie and the river demon Sha Wujing to aid his holy mission.
Wukong Fails to Borrow the Fan
The pilgrims face the Fiery Mountain and Wukong seeks the magic fan to extinguish the flames. His first attempt to borrow it from Princess Iron Fan ends in failure.
The Dream Demon Causes Trouble
While Wukong searches for the fan, a Dream Demon attacks the sleeping monks. Wukong allies with the Bull Demon King to outsmart the demons and retrieve the fan.
Red Boy Is Manipulated by the Dream Demon
The Dream Demon manipulates Red Boy into turning against his parents and attacking Wukong. Red Boy’s misuse of his fire powers brings ruin until he learns the demon’s deceit.
Wukong Nears Death
Wukong is blinded and gravely wounded in a trap set by Red Boy and the Dream Demon. Through Tang Sanzang’s compassion and prayer, he miraculously recovers.
Red Boy Reaches Enlightenment
Guanyin heals Wukong and guides him to subdue Red Boy. Seeing his parents’ suffering, Red Boy repents and becomes the child Buddha Sudhana.
Tang Sanzang Is Ambushed
The travelers rest at a manor run by Lady Mo, who secretly tests their purity. Wukong exposes her illusions, saving his master from moral temptation.
Wukong Is Expelled by His Master
Wukong kills a disguised White-Bone Spirit, but Tang Sanzang mistakes it for murder. Heartbroken, Wukong is banished from the group while the real demon captures his master.
The White-Bone Demon Is Defeated
Wukong returns to defeat the White-Bone Spirit and rescues Tang Sanzang. The group reconciles and continues westward, while Bajie’s vanity causes new trouble.
Bajie’s Mortal Desires Remain
Bajie marries a princess and forgets his vows, living in luxury as a prince. Tang Sanzang and Wukong remind him of his duty, and he repents his earthly desires.
Bajie Attempts to Hang Himself
Bajie is deceived by a vengeful demon and believes he has killed Tang Sanzang. Overcome with guilt, he tries to hang himself but is saved by Guanyin’s mercy.
Wukong Bets with the Three Demons
In a drought-stricken kingdom ruled by false Taoist priests, Wukong challenges three demons posing as holy men. Through cunning miracles he exposes their deceit.
The Three Demons Are Defeated and Killed
Wukong outwits the tiger, deer, and ram demons in a series of deadly wagers. Each is slain after their magic fails, restoring peace to the kingdom.
Tang Sanzang Meets the Spider Spirits
Tang Sanzang is captured by seductive spider demons, but one named Shishi shows compassion. Wukong rescues his master and senses Shishi’s tragic past.
Shishi’s Past Love Story
Shishi recalls her former life as a woman in love with a scholar who died saving her. Moved by her sorrow, Wukong and Tang Sanzang help her seek redemption.
En’en Falls in Love with Wukong
Shishi’s sister En’en falls in love with Wukong during their travels. Her affection tests his spiritual discipline as the group continues west.
Shishi Willingly Lets Herself Be Used
Deceived by the centipede demon Yushu, Shishi sacrifices herself to protect Tang Sanzang. Her love and guilt drive her to tragic submission.
The Real and Fake Tang Sanzang
The centipede demon disguises himself as Tang Sanzang, causing confusion among the pilgrims. Wukong relies on Shishi’s guidance to reveal the true monk and defeat the impostor.
En’en Sacrifices Herself for Love
The demon lures En’en from safety, and she dies saving Wukong. Wukong and his allies destroy the demon, mourning En’en’s devotion.
Tang Sanzang Collapses
Exhausted in the desert, Tang Sanzang collapses under the blazing sun. Wukong risks his life to carry him onward, and they are saved by the general Feihu.
Tang Sanzang Is Crowned Queen
The pilgrims reach the Women’s Kingdom where Tang Sanzang is mistaken for a handsome queen-to-be. Despite royal temptation, he remains faithful to his vows.
The Master and Disciples Become Pregnant
After drinking the Mother-Child Spring, all four pilgrims become magically pregnant. Wukong seeks Guanyin’s help to find a cure before it’s too late.
Do the Four Disciples Have a Child?
A mischievous goddess tricks the pilgrims into thinking they have given birth to children. The chaos reveals lessons about attachment and illusion.
Tang Sanzang Enlightens the Flying Tiger
Tang Sanzang enlightens the warrior Feihu about the emptiness of desire. The monk and his disciples continue their sacred journey toward the West.
Top Cast
Kwong Wa
Tang Sanzang
Wayne Lai Yiu-Cheung
Zhu Bajie
Evergreen Mak Cheung-Ching
Sha Wujing
Benny Chan Ho-Man
Sun Wukong
Joe Ma Tak-Chung
Lee Lung-Kei
Chung Nam Wah
Cheung Ying-Tsoi
Kwok Tak-San
Yoe Biu
Ben Wong Tin-Dok
