Journey to the West: The Aftermath
This thirty-episode mythological series from 2000, directed by and starring Cao Rong as Sun Wukong, explores the lives of the pilgrims after their legendary journey.
Journey to the West: Afterword is a 30-episode costume mythological television series that premiered in mainland China on February 15, 2000. Directed by Li Yuan, the series stars Cao Rong, who both directed and played Sun Wukong, alongside Huang Haibing as Tang Sanzang and Lyu Zhong as Rulai Buddha. The production was a joint venture between the Shaanxi Television Program Exchange Center, the Shaanxi Station Hangtang Television Studio, and the Shaanxi Jinlangchao Cultural Development Company. The story picks up where the original novel ends: three hundred years after the master and disciples obtained the True Scriptures and returned to the Tianzhu Kingdom, Rulai Buddha is on the verge of nirvana. Seizing this opportunity, the demon "Wutian" usurps Lingshan, proclaiming himself the "Wutian Buddha," and casts Tang Sanzang and the various Buddhas into hell. Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie embark on a quest to find Qiao Ling'er, the reincarnation of the Buddha's sarira, eventually joining forces with the heavenly soldiers and generals to wage a final war against Wutian, ultimately sacrificing themselves to destroy the demon. The show's insert songs, "I Desire to Become an Immortal" and "Yearning," as well as the background music "Bai Longma," became massive hits. However, the series also drew criticism for its repetitive fight choreography and crude special effects. As the first domestic mythological drama to explore the "post-pilgrimage" theme, the work has been rediscovered in the internet age for its imaginative plot and unique soundtrack, becoming a cult classic for a new generation of viewers.