The wait is finally over for fans of Taiwanese crime dramas. Netflix released its latest original series, Million-Follower Detective, on February 12, 2026. The show brings together a legendary Hong Kong star and a fresh Taiwanese cast to tell a story about murder, social media fame, and a mysterious online fortune teller.
But now that the series is out, the big question is simple: should you add it to your watchlist or keep scrolling? Early reactions are rolling in, and they paint a mixed picture. Here is everything you need to know about the plot, the cast, and what viewers are saying to help you decide if Million-Follower Detective is the right pick for your next binge session.
What Is Million-Follower Detective About?
The series drops viewers into a world where online fame turns deadly. A masked figure known as “Baba the Witch” starts posting predictions on the internet. At first, the forecasts seem harmless. But then they start coming true in the worst way possible. The mysterious online personality accurately predicts the murders of multiple social media influencers with massive followings .
As the body count rises, society falls into panic. The Baba Witch gains millions of followers who hang on every word, turning the killings into a bizarre form of viral entertainment .
Ekin Cheng plays Chen Chia-jen, a seasoned and somewhat old-school detective from the Taipei police force. He gets drawn into the case after an incident involving an influencer outside a police station. Chen quickly realizes he is out of his depth in the world of algorithms, livestreams, and viral trends .
He teams up with Li Hsin-ping (Patty Lee), an officer from the Technology Crime Investigation Brigade who understands the digital footprint left by the killer. To truly navigate the online maze, they recruit Lin Ting-yu (Shou Lo), a brash and popular influencer nicknamed “Youzi” who has a million followers of his own .
Together, this unlikely trio tries to crowdsource the investigation. They attempt to turn the online masses into digital detectives to unmask the Baba Witch before the next prophecy becomes a reality. To make things more personal, Chen suspects the case might be connected to his estranged daughter, Chen You-jie (Buffy Chen) .
The Cast Brings Star Power and Fresh Faces
The casting is one of the biggest talking points for Million-Follower Detective. The show mixes generations of talent.
Ekin Cheng leads the pack. For many viewers, especially in Asia, Cheng is a massive name. He rose to fame in the 1990s with iconic roles in films like the Young and Dangerous series. His return to television after more than a decade is a major draw. He brings a sense of gravitas and nostalgia to the role of the weary detective who has to learn new tricks to catch a modern killer .
Opposite him is Shou Lo, a Taiwanese rapper and member of the popular group W0LF(S). He plays the influencer Youzi with an energy that feels authentic. His character understands the language of the internet, making him the perfect guide for Cheng’s old-school detective .
Patty Lee, known for her role in another Netflix thriller, Shards of Her, plays the tech-savvy investigator. She provides the bridge between the veteran cop and the young influencer, holding the team together .
The series also features familiar faces like Lee Lee-zen and Wang Po-chieh. In a fun touch for local audiences, several real-life Taiwanese YouTubers and internet celebrities make cameo appearances, playing fictionalized versions of themselves .
Early Viewer Reactions: A Mixed Verdict
Now that the show is streaming, the audience verdict is coming in, and it is far from simple. Reviews are deeply divided.
On one hand, Ekin Cheng’s performance is getting near-universal praise. Viewers are thrilled to see him back in action. One fan on PTT, a popular Taiwanese bulletin board system, shared their excitement, saying :
This translates to a feeling shared by many: the cool, confident, and slightly aloof Cheng is back, and he carries the show with his presence.
However, the praise for Cheng is often followed by frustration with the show’s execution. Critics and viewers have pointed out several issues.
The pacing and editing are the main targets of criticism. Many feel the first episode struggles to find its footing. Some viewers complained about repetitive editing techniques. One PTT user wrote that the first episode was difficult to get through because the editing relied on the same clips over and over, which became annoying .
The mystery element is another point of contention. For a show titled Million-Follower Detective, the central “whodunit” aspect is crucial. Unfortunately, some viewers felt the identity of the killer was too obvious. Comments online suggest that the main suspects are easy to spot early on, which takes the fun out of the investigation .
The Verdict: Should You Watch or Skip?
So, where does that leave you? The answer depends on what you are looking for.
You might want to watch Million-Follower Detective if:
- You are a fan of Ekin Cheng and want to see him in a leading TV role. His performance is the heart of the show.
- You enjoy crime stories that try to tackle modern themes like internet culture, viral fame, and the dark side of social media.
- You are interested in Taiwanese productions and want to see the kind of high-concept stories being made there.
- You have patience for a slower burn. Some viewers noted that the show picks up around episode 4, when the plot starts to twist .
You might want to skip it if:
- You are a stickler for tight, logical plots. Early criticism points to plot holes that might bother viewers who love puzzle-box mysteries.
- You cannot stand slow starts. If a show needs to hook you in the first episode, this might not deliver.
- You are an expert mystery solver. If you pride yourself on guessing the killer, the early consensus is that this mystery is solvable far too early.
- You are looking for a fast-paced thriller from minute one. The show spends time building its world and characters, which some find tedious.
Where to Watch and Final Details
Million-Follower Detective is a Netflix original series. It premiered globally on February 12, 2026. All eight episodes dropped at once, so the entire season is available to binge right now .
The show is available in all regions where Netflix operates. Viewers can watch it with the original Mandarin audio. Subtitles and dubbing options vary by region, but English subtitles are confirmed. For viewers in the US, a standard Netflix subscription is required, with plans starting at $7.99 per month for the ad-supported tier .
Ultimately, Million-Follower Detective is a show caught between two worlds. It has a beloved star and a relevant, interesting premise about the dangers of digital mob mentality. But it struggles with execution, pacing, and delivering a mystery that keeps viewers guessing. It is a show you watch for the characters and the atmosphere, perhaps more than for the intricate plot twists. Whether that is enough for a satisfying watch is up to you.
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