Journey to the West (1996)
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.
-
Episode 1 - The Stone Monkey Breaks Free from the Rock
Release Date: 1996-11-18The 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.
-
Episode 2 - Tian Peng and Wu Gang Compete for Chang’e
Release Date: 1996-11-19Tian 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.
-
Episode 3 - Wukong’s Death Approaches
Release Date: 1996-11-20Wukong 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.
-
Episode 4 - Wukong Is Punished
Release Date: 1996-11-21Wukong 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.
-
Episode 5 - Wukong Cannot Escape the Buddha’s Five-Finger Mountain
Release Date: 1996-11-22Wukong wreaks havoc in heaven and steals the peaches of immortality. The Buddha traps him beneath a mountain for five hundred years as punishment.
-
Episode 6 - Tian Peng Falls into the Realm of Beasts
Release Date: 1996-11-25Tian 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.
-
Episode 7 - Tripitaka Takes Wukong and Bajie as Disciples
Release Date: 1996-11-26The 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.
-
Episode 8 - Wukong Fails to Borrow the Fan
Release Date: 1996-11-27The 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.
-
Episode 9 - The Dream Demon Causes Trouble
Release Date: 1996-11-28While 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.
-
Episode 10 - Red Boy Is Manipulated by the Dream Demon
Release Date: 1996-11-29The 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.
-
Episode 11 - Wukong Nears Death
Release Date: 1996-12-02Wukong 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.
-
Episode 12 - Red Boy Reaches Enlightenment
Release Date: 1996-12-03Guanyin heals Wukong and guides him to subdue Red Boy. Seeing his parents’ suffering, Red Boy repents and becomes the child Buddha Sudhana.
-
Episode 13 - Tang Sanzang Is Ambushed
Release Date: 1996-12-04The travelers rest at a manor run by Lady Mo, who secretly tests their purity. Wukong exposes her illusions, saving his master from moral temptation.
-
Episode 14 - Wukong Is Expelled by His Master
Release Date: 1996-12-05Wukong 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.
-
Episode 15 - The White-Bone Demon Is Defeated
Release Date: 1996-12-06Wukong returns to defeat the White-Bone Spirit and rescues Tang Sanzang. The group reconciles and continues westward, while Bajie’s vanity causes new trouble.
-
Episode 16 - Bajie’s Mortal Desires Remain
Release Date: 1996-12-09Bajie 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.
-
Episode 17 - Bajie Attempts to Hang Himself
Release Date: 1996-12-10Bajie 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.
-
Episode 18 - Wukong Bets with the Three Demons
Release Date: 1996-12-11In a drought-stricken kingdom ruled by false Taoist priests, Wukong challenges three demons posing as holy men. Through cunning miracles he exposes their deceit.
-
Episode 19 - The Three Demons Are Defeated and Killed
Release Date: 1996-12-12Wukong 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.
-
Episode 20 - Tang Sanzang Meets the Spider Spirits
Release Date: 1996-12-13Tang Sanzang is captured by seductive spider demons, but one named Shishi shows compassion. Wukong rescues his master and senses Shishi’s tragic past.
-
Episode 21 - Shishi’s Past Love Story
Release Date: 1996-12-16Shishi 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.
-
Episode 22 - En’en Falls in Love with Wukong
Release Date: 1996-12-17Shishi’s sister En’en falls in love with Wukong during their travels. Her affection tests his spiritual discipline as the group continues west.
-
Episode 23 - Shishi Willingly Lets Herself Be Used
Release Date: 1996-12-18Deceived by the centipede demon Yushu, Shishi sacrifices herself to protect Tang Sanzang. Her love and guilt drive her to tragic submission.
-
Episode 24 - The Real and Fake Tang Sanzang
Release Date: 1996-12-19The 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.
-
Episode 25 - En’en Sacrifices Herself for Love
Release Date: 1996-12-20The demon lures En’en from safety, and she dies saving Wukong. Wukong and his allies destroy the demon, mourning En’en’s devotion.
-
Episode 26 - Tang Sanzang Collapses
Release Date: 1996-12-23Exhausted 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.
-
Episode 27 - Tang Sanzang Is Crowned Queen
Release Date: 1996-12-24The 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.
-
Episode 28 - The Master and Disciples Become Pregnant
Release Date: 1996-12-25After 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.
-
Episode 29 - Do the Four Disciples Have a Child?
Release Date: 1996-12-26A mischievous goddess tricks the pilgrims into thinking they have given birth to children. The chaos reveals lessons about attachment and illusion.
-
Episode 30 - Tang Sanzang Enlightens the Flying Tiger
Release Date: 1996-12-27Tang Sanzang enlightens the warrior Feihu about the emptiness of desire. The monk and his disciples continue their sacred journey toward the West.