Sun Wukong also known as The Monkey King (孫悟空) is a main character in the Disney+ original series American Born Chinese portrayed by Daniel Wu.
Background[]
Personality[]
Sun Wukong is portrayed as being strict and responsible about his duties as the Great Sage. In his youth, he was rebellious and extroverted, using his skills of manipulation to get to what he wanted. As he grew up and became a father, these traits became less obvious and he became more stern. However, he is shown to be a reasonable and caring person. He has a great love for his son Wei-Chen and understands quickly that he is growing up to be like him. Like his son, he is also willing to put a lot of faith and trust in him and is shown to be accepting towards Jin Wang as his guide.
Physical appearance[]
Sun Wukong resembles an adult Chinese man with long black hair and an under beard, giving him the slight distinctive appearance of an East Asian primate. This is made much more apparent when his hair turns golden yellow and becomes thicker to the point that he has hair on his hands as well. His uniform resembles traditional royal Chinese robes that are black with gold accents and lace.
Powers and abilities[]
Sun Wukong is a skilled martial artist who has had centuries of practice to become the best fighter. This, accompanied by his magical size altering bo staff, called the Ruyi Jingu Bang, makes him an expert and well-experienced fighter. He also has the ability to shapeshift into anything such as a small insect, but usually uses it to hide his identity as the Monkey King when traversing the mortal world. Additionally, he appears to have enhanced durability as he was able to survive a dangerous stab in the stomach and was able to heal quickly from it.
History[]
Season 1[]
In What Guy Are You, Sun Wukong is chasing his son through Wei-Chen through the Heavenly realms after having stolen his Jingu Bang . Upon arriving at the portal to Earth, Wei-Chen disobeys his father and jumps through declaring that it is something he has to do. Later, when Jin Wang goes back into his room, he realizes that Wei-Chen left his Kugo Ren action figure in his backpack as a thank you gift. He opens to chest to discover that the robot has a second head resembling the classic Monkey King head. He places the action figure on his shelf as the eyes begin to glow.
In Rockstar Status, Sun Wukong and Guanyin meet at a Chinese buffet to discuss what is happening. Guanyin has placed a lot of faith in Wei-Chen to find the fourth scroll, but Wukong is still incredulous to it. He agrees to allow Wei-Chen to stay with her for one week, but if anything were to happen, he will come and pick up Wei-Chen and take him back home. After Mowang steals the Jingu Ban from his son, Wukong is Guanyin's apartment. Accompanied by Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, who are there to take his his son home.
In Make a Splash, in the Heavenly realm, Sun Wukong grounds his son for 200 years while scolding him for chasing a dream. Wei-Chen tells him that he does not want to be anything like him, causing Wukong to remember when he was like his own son. Before he was the Monkey King, Wukong was brought by his friend Niu Mowang to attend the Heavenly Peach Banquet, a party for all the major Gods and Demons to celebrate the last year of Ao Guang, the Dragon King, being a Great Sage. Wukong tries to urge Mowang to be the next Great Sage. Upon arriving at the entrance, Wukong is denied entry over the fact that he does not wear shoes. When Ji Gong, who is slated to be the next Great Sage arrives, Wukong uses his magic to keep his wine jug full in order to keep him out as he and Mowang sneak inside. Wukong entices Mowang to have a meeting with Guang so that he can pitch his idea for a journey to the west to acquire the sutras from India. While waiting around, the two of them meet Princess Iron Fan and Princess Jade Face. When Guang passes through the party, Iron Fan uses her magic fan so that Wukong and Mowang can follow Guang.
Later, Wukong uses his powers to make a fake Jingu Bang while he steals the real one from Guang. When Guang returns to the party, Wukong urges Mowang to go up and speak, but he gets stage fright and simply chants a song before getting booted off stage. When the Queen Mother, wife of the Jade Emperor, announces the final award to Guang, with a giant heavenly peach being the reward, Wukong whisks the fake Jingu Bang away and takes the stage.
Wukong proceeds to mock and criticize everyone at the party for being phonies and for patting themselves on the back and destroys the peach. Guang is impressed with Wukong's honesty and admits that he too hates these kinds of parties. He announces his intent to have Wukong be the new Great Sage, despite Wukong not really wanting the position, and he reluctantly accepts.
Wukong happily explains that now he is Great Sage, he can bring Mowang with him, but he rebuffs him. Mowang admits that he embarrasses him and that he did not want to be urged into doing what he wanted to do. This causes Wukong to tell Mowang that he does not have what it takes to be a Great Sage due to his conservative demeanor. Mowang tells him that he knows that he does not want to be anything like him and leaves the party angrily. Back in the present, Wukong takes back what he said to Wei-Chen and tells him that he can return to Earth so as to prove himself and Wei-Chen happily goes back.
In Hot Stuff, Sun Wukong appears, planning to confront Mowang himself. A fight between the two breaks out and Gong chases Jin and Wei-Chen, only to get knocked out by Sha Wujing who goes to aid Wukong. Jin and Wei-Chen try to usher the party to end soon. Wukong sends Wujing away, but gets stabbed by the mirror piece. Wei-Chen arrives, but Mowang takes Wukong away.
In Beyond Repair, Niu Mowang is keeping Sun Wukong in the basement of the Golden Temple while the mirror piece is still lodged in him. Privately, Wukong tells Ji Gong that it is not too late for him to turn, but he ignores him. Mowang drags Wukong out as he tries to apologize for turning him into something he is not, but Mowang thanks him for making him accept himself. Later, Wukong and Gong force Wei-Chen to leave. Gong gives Wei-Chen some beads before fleeing as Mowang uses the Jingu Bang to finish off Wukong, forcing Wei-Chen to run.
In The Fourth Scroll, The Monkey King is rescued by Simon Wang and Christine Wang, who find him in the basement of the Golden Temple alive, but greatly injured. They give him some of Christine's drink, along with the jar of green powder that Wei-Chen had given to Jin, and they part with Wukong giving wise advice to the two. Eventually, a healed up Sun Wukong arrives to sedate Mowang and reveals that Jin is the fourth scroll, much to everyone's delight. Once the battle is over, and The Bull Demon's plan is stopped, Wei-Chen, Wukong and Mowang disappear.
Quotes[]
- "I believe in you. But it doesn't matter unless you believe in yourself."
- "Perhaps you should focus on your skills instead of showing off."
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
Coming Soon
Appearances: 7/8[]
- What Guy Are You
- A Monkey on a Quest
- Rockstar Status
- Make a Splash
- Abracadabra (Credit Only)
- Hot Stuff
- Beyond Repair
- The Fourth Scroll
References[]
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