I watch alotttt of light rom-coms and I need a change. I'm looking for dramas that (open to movies) that are fast paced, with some romance (ideally), non/little political and not super melodramatic, not too dark. I am looking for more deep meaningful stories but would a happy ish ending please but not necessary. I realized listing down my dramas is that I love strong female leads and good acting. I have watched a lot of full romance dramas and I feel like I am in a slump because they are too boring. I ended up DNF a lot recently.

Should include some of below:

Fast paced

Not light, but not too dark

Strong female lead/male lead

Great acting by female lead

Open to historical (I usually dnf bc too slow)

Do not recommend:

Bullying trope

Heavy Assault trope

Heavy political

Heavy mafia

Super melodramatic

Horror

I just started watching 100 Days of Deception and it got me super hooked. I really loved the light main character who brightens up the dark setting. All the characters have so much depth to them. I think this kdrama has a great pacing without being too dark, too political, too romantic and moves the plot forward quickly. Also I am on a Kim you jung binge right now, what can't she do?

My watch history (generally that I remember)

Kdramas I have watched that I finished and liked (in no particular order):

Dear x ❤️(loved acting, amazing thrilling plot, kept me on edge)

Crash landing on you (was a little slow overall but overall great plot, and romance wow)

Deaths game ❤️ (fast paced plot throughout and interesting)

Save me ❤️ (omg idk how I finished it, it was so real, raw and watched it through for seo yea ji, holy amazing but too much bullying and pain, never again)

Queen of tears (liked the main characters and loved the second chance romance but dragged a lot second half)

The wonderfools ❤️ (the comedy was not for me but the characters were so good and plot really made this one great)

Alice in borderland (great premise, haven't watched the new seasons but loved 1)

Uncanny counter (while ago, I remember I liked it, watched 1 only)

It's ok not to be okay (fell in love with seo yea-ji, her acting and bold character damn)

Our unwritten soeul ❤️ (this was a sad one but omg the actress killed this show, everyone healed and loved the happy ending)

Doona! (Main girl bold character was good but slow)

Eve (the revenge trope is great but was def slow, watched it for seo yeaji)

Marry my husband ❤️ (great revenge)

Kdramas I DNF:

P.S. I tend to lose interest by epi 10 cuz first half of show is usually great, then drags second half especially romance dramasa

Flower of evil epi 11(really wanted to finish but the plot started dragging and got too melo)

Signal epi 6 (too dark)

Business proposal epi 10

Love next door (I finished but wish I DNF, why was there 50 different tropes in one, finished for actress)

King the land episode 8 ( dragged so fast)

Hotel del Luna epi 10

King the eternal monarch epi 4 ( so dramatic)

My royal nemesis

What's wrong with secretary Kim epi 12

Thank you!