When Does New Journey to the West Season 9 Come Out? Is It Renewed?
New Journey to the West Season 9 has not been confirmed yet.
TMDB
8.8
Seasons
8
Episodes
88
Diagnostics
- Network
- tvN
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy, Reality, Action & Adventure
- First aired
- 2015-09-04
- Last aired
- 2020-12-18
- Runtime
- 90 min
Predictive Logic Analysis
New Journey to the West aired its eighth season finale in December 2020 and has been dormant ever since—a gap of more than three years with no credible renewal announcement, production news, or official word from tvN. The TMDB database lists it as "Returning Series," but this designation is often stale and unreliable; absent a formal network statement or recent cast/crew activity, such metadata should not override the extended silence. For a variety show or reality-comedy hybrid on a cable network like tvN, a hiatus this long without even a holding statement typically signals end-of-run, not renewal.
The rising Google search interest is a minor positive signal and may reflect nostalgia or international discovery, but it cannot overcome the fundamental absence of renewal momentum. tvN, while not as trigger-happy as some streamers, does not typically maintain multi-year silences for shows it plans to revive; had a ninth season been greenlit, announcement and production would likely have occurred by 2022–2023. The lack of any renewal signals from credible sources, combined with the three-year gap, places the show well into "likely cancelled" territory despite its prior eight-season run and strong cultural footprint in South Korea.
What is New Journey to the West about?
New Journey to the West reimagines the legendary Chinese novel "Journey to the West" as a raucous, road-trip variety show where a rotating ensemble of Korean celebrities embodies its mythical characters while traveling to exotic locations around the globe. The premise is deceptively simple: assign each cast member an archetypal role from the classic text, send them on an adventure through unfamiliar terrain, and let their clashing personalities, competitive egos, and genuine camaraderie generate both comedic chaos and oddly touching moments of human connection. What draws viewers in is the unpredictable alchemy of watching sharp-witted entertainers navigate real challenges—language barriers, physical exhaustion, cultural disorientation—while staying locked in character and constantly trying to outmaneuver one another for comedic advantage.
The show's tone walks a distinctive line between scripted comedy and unscripted reality, blending absurdist humor with authentic travel documentation. Creator Na Yeong-seok crafts scenarios and challenges that feel organic to each destination while leaving room for the cast's improvisational talents and natural dynamics to flourish. There's a theatrical flair to the proceedings—the character assignments borrow narrative weight from the source material—but the appeal ultimately rests on watching real people grapple with genuine discomfort and surprise, their witty banter and competitive natures colliding with moments where the travel experience itself becomes unexpectedly moving or revelatory.
The series has built a dedicated international fanbase that extends well beyond Korea, becoming a flagship title for tvN and establishing itself as a benchmark for the variety-travel-comedy hybrid format. Its eight-season longevity and continued renewal speak to both domestic affection and growing global recognition, particularly as Korean entertainment has broadened its reach. While critical discussion tends toward celebration of the cast's chemistry and the show's distinctive blend of performance and authenticity, the program occupies a space where critical prestige matters less than audience devotion.
New Journey to the West essentially defined a new strain of Korean entertainment that marries variety show sensibilities with documentary-style travel programming. Its influence can be traced through countless copycat formats, yet the original remains distinctive for its particular alchemy of witty ensemble cast, structural creativity, and willingness to ground comedy in real geographical and cultural exploration. It stands as a testament to how a simple concept—celebrities playing archetypal characters while traveling—can sustain engagement across eight seasons when anchored by genuine talent and authentic human moments.
Created by Na Yeong-seok
Themes
Is New Journey to the West renewed or cancelled?
Working toward renewal
Strong historical performance (8 seasons, 88 episodes, cultural impact in Korea)
Rising Google search interest
TMDB lists as 'Returning Series' (likely outdated metadata)
Working against it
No renewal signal from tvN or trade publications in 3+ years
Hiatus of 3+ years since last episode (December 2020)
New Journey to the West Season 9 Release Date
With no renewal signal, official announcement, or recent production news, a ninth season is not imminent. If the show were to be revived, tvN would need to make a public announcement before any new season could enter post-production. Given the current date and the silence since 2020, the likelihood of a surprise 2024–2025 return is very low. A revival, if it happens, would more likely be positioned as a special or reboot in 2025 or beyond, but no credible evidence supports even that optimistic scenario.
Best & worst episodes
New Journey to the West seasons
Season 12015 · 26 ep
- 1. The Beginning of a Legend2015-09-04
- 2. Find the Monkey King, the Greatest Sinner2015-09-04
- 3. New Journey to the West Game Instruction Manual2015-09-04
- 4. Good Things to Know Before the Race2015-09-04
- 5. Finally China! Monk Xuanzang Race - Part 12015-09-04
- 6. The winner is Lee Seung-gi anyway! Monk Xuanzang Race - Part 22015-09-11
- 7. Ho-dong does it too, part 1! Kang Ho-dong’s first ever errand2015-09-11
- 8. The Birth of Zhu Bajie2015-09-11
- 9. First Dragon Ball Mission! What happened at DeFaChang?!2015-09-11
- 10. Sleeping together after 5 years! Monsters’ First Night2015-09-11
- 11. Xi'an City Wall Tour2015-09-18
- 12. Exploring the Terracotta Army2015-09-18
- 13. Second Dragon Ball Mission2015-09-18
- 14. A trembling night with the massager!2015-09-18
- 15. Who's responsible for the missing shoes?!2015-09-18
- 16. Culprit finally revealed! And breakfast at opposite extremes!2015-09-25
- 17. Relay Individual Mission! Ho-dong’s desperate struggle with ATM machine!2015-09-25
- 18. Extraordinary Mission! Look for Kyung-mo PD!2015-09-25
- 19. Guess it right to eat! Who is this person?2015-09-25
- 20. Night of Wishes! Crazy Guy Eun Ji-won’s Wish Is?2015-10-02
- 21. Final Mission! Fate Up to Ho-dong!2015-10-02
- 22. It’s All Over But Let’s Still Do One Quiz2015-10-02
- 23. Epilogue Made to Not Waste What Was Filmed (End)2015-10-02
- 24. tvN Season 1 (1)2016-04-08
- 25. tvN Season 1 (2)2016-04-15
- 26. Episode 262015-09-29
Season 22016 · 9 ep
- 1. Episode 12016-04-22
- 2. Episode 22016-04-29
- 3. Episode 32016-05-06
- 4. Episode 42016-05-13
- 5. Episode 52016-05-20
- 6. Episode 62016-05-27
- 7. Episode 72016-06-03
- 8. Episode 82016-06-10
- 9. Episode 92016-06-17
Season 32017 · 10 ep
- 1. Episode 12017-01-08
- 2. Episode 22017-01-15
- 3. Episode 32017-01-22
- 4. Episode 42017-01-29
- 5. Episode 52017-02-05
- 6. Episode 62017-02-12
- 7. Episode 72017-02-19
- 8. Episode 82017-02-26
- 9. Episode 92017-03-05
- 10. Episode 102017-03-12
Season 42017 · 11 ep
- 1. Episode 12017-06-13
- 2. Episode 22017-06-20
- 3. Episode 32017-06-27
- 4. Episode 42017-07-04
- 5. Episode 52017-07-11
- 6. Episode 62017-07-18
- 7. Episode 72017-07-25
- 8. Episode 82017-08-01
- 9. Episode 92017-08-08
- 10. Episode 102017-08-15
- 11. Episode 112017-08-22
Season 52018 · 5 ep
- 1. Episode 12018-09-30
- 2. Episode 22018-10-07
- 3. Episode 32018-10-14
- 4. Episode 42018-10-21
- 5. Episode 52018-10-28
Season 62018 · 5 ep
- 1. Episode 12018-11-04
- 2. Episode 22018-11-11
- 3. Episode 32018-11-18
- 4. Episode 42018-11-25
- 5. Episode 52018-12-02
Season 72019 · 11 ep
- 1. Episode 12019-10-25
- 2. Episode 22019-11-01
- 3. Episode 32019-11-08
- 4. Episode 42019-11-15
- 5. Episode 52019-11-22 · ★ 8.0
- 6. Episode 62019-11-29
- 7. Episode 72019-12-06
- 8. Episode 82019-12-13
- 9. Episode 92019-12-20
- 10. Episode 102019-12-27
- 11. Episode 112020-01-03
Season 82020 · 11 ep
- 1. Episode 12020-10-09 · ★ 8.0
- 2. Episode 22020-10-16
- 3. Episode 32020-10-23
- 4. Episode 42020-10-30
- 5. Episode 52020-11-06
- 6. Episode 62020-11-13
- 7. Episode 72020-11-20
- 8. Episode 82020-11-27
- 9. Episode 92020-12-04
- 10. Episode 102020-12-11
- 11. Episode 112020-12-18
New Journey to the West cast
View all cast →
Kang Ho-dong
Self
Lee Su-geun
Self
Eun Ji-won
Self
Song Min-ho
Self
Pyo Ji-hoon
Self
Cho Kyu-hyun
Self
AI Verdict
New Journey to the West has not aired since December 2020—over three years of silence with no renewal signal from tvN. The show's long hiatus, lack of official announcement, and absence of production activity strongly suggest cancellation, despite rising search interest and TMDB's "Returning Series" tag, which may be outdated.
Live signals
241 watching on Traktsteady
Interest steady
Verdict updated 1 month ago
Updated 2026-05-17 · AI-generated analysis
How we predict →Our verdicts have proved right for 59 of 82 decided shows →New Journey to the West latest news
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Frequently asked
- When does New Journey to the West Season 9 come out?
- New Journey to the West Season 9 has not been confirmed yet.
- Is New Journey to the West renewed or cancelled?
- New Journey to the West has not aired since December 2020—over three years of silence with no renewal signal from tvN. The show's long hiatus, lack of official announcement, and absence of production activity strongly suggest cancellation, despite rising search interest and TMDB's "Returning Series" tag, which may be outdated.
- How many seasons of New Journey to the West are there?
- New Journey to the West has aired 8 seasons so far.
- How many episodes of New Journey to the West are there?
- There are 88 episodes of New Journey to the West across 8 seasons.
- Who created New Journey to the West?
- New Journey to the West was created by Na Yeong-seok.