A Classic Masterpiece
In 1982, director Zhang Jiet made the decision to adapt “Journey to the West,” one of the “Four Great Classical Novels” of Chinese literature, into a television series that would be broadcasted nationwide. After several rigorous casting rounds, the cast was finally assembled, including actors like Liu Xiaoling and Zhang Jin Lai, to bring the iconic characters to life. This particular adaptation gained immense popularity, particularly due to Liu Xiaoling’s portrayal of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong.
Liu Xiaoling as Zhang Jin Lai and the character Sun Wukong.
To better understand the character’s personality, the actor lived with the character for several months during the filming. Director Zhang Jiet did not hold back on his compliments, stating that this truly was a vibrant character! Throughout the filming process, due to limited resources and practical shooting conditions, the cast faced numerous challenges, often experiencing discomfort from the rugged environments. More than once, they had to endure the heat, while the technology at the time was still quite rudimentary; certain effects, especially for the demon characters, were not fully realized.
However, these challenges did not prevent the series from becoming a classic. In 1986, after four years of filming, the show finally premiered, showcasing Liu Xiaoling’s exceptional acting skills, which were well-received by audiences. This adaptation not only became a cultural phenomenon in China but also gained international acclaim, being recognized as one of the most popular television series of the year in multiple countries. Notably, due to its iconic status, whenever Liu Xiaoling passed through airport security, staff would often assume he was the real-life Monkey King, and on occasion, law enforcement had to step in to resolve the confusion.
700 Million Yuan Investment That Nobody Cared About
Since the year following its release, CCTV has consistently re-broadcast “Journey to the West.” In 2016, the Year of the Monkey, there was a significant buzz online as some internet celebrities suggested that the director should appear on the Spring Festival Gala. Discussions about this idea proliferated, with internet users expressing certainty that CCTV would definitely invite the director to participate. However, when the day of the broadcast arrived, the director did not appear as expected, leaving viewers disappointed and sparking various speculations about the reasons behind his absence!
When questioned about why many people were eager for his appearance, particularly regarding the significance of the series in popular culture, CCTV clarified that there were specific reasons for this exclusion, emphasizing that it was not meant to harm audience sentiment. Over the years, internet users have shown great affection for the director, leading to a wave of nostalgia towards CCTV’s programming. Liu Xiaoling realized that no one could replace his role as Sun Wukong, prompting him to announce in 2018 that he would no longer return to the role.
Director Zhang Jin Lai stated that this film would be produced by him and Ma Dehua, who played Zhu Bajie, together reprising their roles; to achieve this, he has invested a staggering 700 million Chinese Yuan—a significant amount for a production. Despite these announcements aiming to evoke strong emotions among the audience, the final reactions were unexpectedly lukewarm. In reality, it is not that the audience has lost interest in “Journey to the West,” but rather that over the years, Liu Xiaoling has also garnered a deep emotional connection with every viewer.
As such, Liu Xiaoling and Zhang Jin Lai have gained immense popularity for their respective takes on “Journey to the West” online, establishing a platform called “Liu Study” dedicated to the in-depth analysis of their work, akin to how “Hong Study” focuses on the classic novel “Dream of the Red Chamber.” Such lofty aspirations have not only disappointed internet users but have also led to further promotional endeavors. Zhang Jin Lai also mentioned that a Hollywood production company has expressed interest in collaborating, and the expectations surrounding the new adaptation are significantly higher than those of the 1986 version, even being compared to “Warriors of the Rainbow.”
This situation has further ignited enthusiasm among viewers, primarily due to the lasting legacy of “Journey to the West” by Zhang Jiet, which has become a timeless classic. The director has conducted extensive studies and has been able to capture its essence, with Liu Xiaoling also contributing significantly to this legacy.
On this basis, he wishes to incorporate more international perspectives into the production. How can an international team grasp the intricate nuances of Chinese artistry? Therefore, “Where is the destination?” has entered a challenging phase. By December 2021, film production companies began announcing that they would change the film title to “The True Legend of the Monkey King,” but internet users remained skeptical, believing that Liu Xiaoling would still be overshadowed, leading to a lot of negative commentary. Today, after five years, “Where is the destination?” despite its new title “The True Legend of the Monkey King,” has been labeled as “a film that struggles to find its audience,” with every release date still met with indifference.
