For those unfamiliar with the novel, "Journey to the West" tells the story of Sun Wukong, a mischievous and powerful monkey king, who joins forces with the monk Xuanzang on a perilous journey to India. Their quest is to retrieve sacred scriptures and bring them back to China, a feat that will grant Xuanzang enlightenment and salvation. Along the way, they are joined by two other companions, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, forming a diverse and dynamic group of travelers.

Cambodia, a nation with deep Buddhist traditions, has a natural affinity for stories that blend spiritual journey, morality, and supernatural adventure. Journey to the West is not seen as merely foreign entertainment; its themes of pilgrimage, karmic retribution, and enlightenment align closely with Theravada Buddhist concepts.

The 2011 "Journey to the West" series (66 episodes) is available with Khmer dubbing, largely hosted on YouTube, including the TVB Cambodia Drama channel. These "speak Khmer" versions follow the journey of the monk Xuanzang, with episodes also appearing on platforms like Dailymotion. View the full playlist on YouTube .