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 ran for eight seasons across five years, establishing itself as a durable entertainment property on tvN. The show's format as a comedy-adventure reality series gave it flexibility in production scheduling and cast availability compared to scripted drama. However, the 66-month gap since the last episode aired in December 2020 is the dominant signal here. For a show in an active production cycle, this duration without a renewal announcement or return date is typical of a quiet cancellation or indefinite hiatus that amounts to the same thing.
The show's current metadata is ambiguous. TMDB lists it as "Returning Series," which could reflect either outdated information or genuine plans to continue, but that status alone carries minimal weight without corroboration from the network or credible media reporting. Search interest remains high and steady, which suggests sustained audience affection, but this is a weak renewal signal on its own. Trakt activity is modest (241 active watchers) and stable, indicating a core fanbase but not broad active engagement. The complete absence of renewal signals from tvN, entertainment trades, or industry reporting over the past five years is the clearest negative indicator. Korean networks do not typically leave successful shows in limbo indefinitely without addressing their status publicly.
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
Search interest at 100/100 and rising
TMDB lists as Returning Series (ambiguous metadata, no confirmation)
Stable Wikipedia pageview trend and steady Trakt watchers
Working against it
66 months since last episode aired with no renewal announcement
No renewal signals from tvN or trade publications
New Journey to the West Season 9 Release Date
There is no confirmed or announced release date for a ninth season. If the show does return, a return would likely come with a formal network announcement months in advance, giving the production crew and cast time to coordinate schedules. The 66-month silence makes immediate revival unlikely. If tvN were planning a comeback, it would probably be framed as a special or limited event season rather than a continuation of the regular format, given how much time has passed since the ensemble last convened. Without an official signal, any return date is purely speculative.
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 been dormant for 5.5 years with no official renewal announcement. While the show retains strong search interest and TMDB lists it as "Returning Series," the extended gap since season 8 aired in late 2020 and the absence of any renewal signal make its status genuinely uncertain. Without credible reporting, this belongs on the bubble, leaning toward cancellation.
Live signals
241 watching on Traktsteady
Interest steady
Verdict updated 1 month ago
Updated 2026-07-13 · AI-generated analysis
How we predict →Our verdicts have proved right for 136 of 192 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 been dormant for 5.5 years with no official renewal announcement. While the show retains strong search interest and TMDB lists it as "Returning Series," the extended gap since season 8 aired in late 2020 and the absence of any renewal signal make its status genuinely uncertain. Without credible reporting, this belongs on the bubble, leaning toward cancellation.
- 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.