What to Watch After Something Intense

The cast were some characters, let me tell you! The fun part about this drama was all the really great food shots. Bubbling stews, piles of seafood, and chicken, and noodles, and a bunch of other great dishes. There's a bit of mystery in the main plot, and that's always cool.  - u/life-finds-a-way

I really love the cast in this one. Yeah, the main stories are heavier, but the four leads sort of remind me of my friends and I in college. Always getting into some kind of trouble, but being there for each other at the end. Plus: this is one historical drama that isn't all about the political scheming and boring stuff.  - u/life-finds-a-way

Everybody is so shout-y. I LOVE IT. The townspeople are loony. The camera work and the actors' expressions really heighten the comedy. Very absurd situations, but it's great for laughs.  - u/life-finds-a-way

This one is like a historical drama version of The X-Files and a bit of Doctor Who. No love line. Just "monster/ghost/thing of the week" and some really great story arcs that make you think. If you're coming from a heavy romance or something, this is a great way to change up the game and immerse yourself in something different for a while. - u/life-finds-a-way

I call this one Korean Forensic House. Medical mystery every episode, but you get to earn about the characters as you go. Bit of fantasy elements here and there, but it's something else that's not a romance or a comedy. Real neat. - u/life-finds-a-way

The comedy between the two leads is awesome in this drama, they have a comedic chemistry that I would expect from Song Ji Hyo and Choi Jin Hyuk. Plus the story line is well done as well. There are quite a few heart flutter moments, and that really brings the feel good heals.  - u/Kordiana

The humor between the leads is glorious, and so is the sweet feels as these characters grow and change. There is great comedy between many of the different characters too. The bonds that grow, and the friendships the bloom add to the feel good aspect of this show.  - u/Kordiana

For me this was one of those lighthearted dramas. The tropes are all there, and sometimes to the point that others might get annoyed. But Kim Woo Bin has a cameo, which always is nice to see.  - u/Kordiana

This is another fairly lighthearted drama. Similar to To the Beautiful You, but just different enough to be entertaining all on it's own. It also has a great cast, which is fun to see these guys be kinda goofy. It is light and airy, and doesn't try to take itself too seriously either. Jeremy reading their own fan fiction is hilarious. - u/Kordiana

This one was just funny to me. The shirtless Siwon at his best. The leads have a good comedy. Just a fun story.  - u/Kordiana

Lighthearted love with someone who has problems understanding the modern world. A good reason for why the Hong sisters became famous screen writers. Some almost serious themes at the end about life and death, but I am sure it will all work out to the best for all.  - u/the-other-otter

Watching Lee Seung Gi freak out was at first annoying, but then adorkable.  - u/Kordiana

A cute musical drama, in which you get the see the beginning of Kim Soo Hyun. There is terrible hair, off key singing, and adorable antics. IU in a fat suit is really weird though. -_-  - u/Kordiana

A follow up to Dream High, similar fun to the original, even if it is a little rougher. Still a fun drama. - u/Kordiana

This one has the adorable Yoo Seung Ho. It is a fun school drama, and an underdog story. The relationships are cute, and it is fun to see the relationships for such different kids grow together.  - u/Kordiana

Unstoppable High Kick: hilarious family sitcom. Pretty long though, 100+ episodes but each episode can more or less be taken as an individual serving. - u/parliamentd

Grandpas Over Flowers Investigation Team - This show is cute, and only 12 episodes. Four young and handsome detectives discover a mysterious substance, and 3 of them prematurely age into old men. They are in a race against the clock to find the culprits and the antidote. It's funny, and not intellectually or emotionally taxing. - unnknown

I Need Romance 3 - I wasn't expecting much, but I actually really liked it. More realistic than most dramas and it was just a simple, lighthearted drama about relationships. Would definitely recommend it if you're looking for something a little less intense but still good quality. - u/OmNomNomKim

Flower Boy Next Door-The neighbors are hilarious in this.  - u/gordonshumway85

Despite being about a mental illness we can all relate to, this is an easy watch. The main characters work around the various problems. You can get through the drama without getting too annoyed at anyone, even the evil grandmother in law is pretty cute.  - u/the-other-otter

Protect the Boss- Really funny and unique. I always smile when I watch this one. - u/gordonshumway85

Hello! Miss- not that popular but a cute little drama.  - u/gordonshumway85

If you haven't seen Coffee Prince, it's also great- one of my absolute favorites. Again the entire cast are great, the story is cute and Gong Yoo (seriously he's awesome).  - u/MauriceChevalierEh

If you feel like a Korean Bridget Jones type of show My  Lovely Sam Soon is also really entertaining and the main female lead has gumption which is great. - u/MauriceChevalierEh

Answer Me 1997 was also nostalgic and an all round awesome series. It played around with time lines (kind of like HIMYM except without an infuriating ending). - u/MauriceChevalierEh

If your a Lee Min Ho fan Personal Taste is great, and seeing him sing the 'period song' is  potentially one of the most swoonworthy moments of all time. - u/MauriceChevalierEh

If you're in the mood for something with a Sex and the City vibe, I Need Romance 2012 fits the bill and centres around 3 female friends and their relationships. - u/MauriceChevalierEh

Rooftop Prince is also great although a little darker than some of the others and the early episodes' "fish out of water" scenes are hilarious although it will make you crave Omurice.  - u/MauriceChevalierEh

Sweet 18. It's about an arranged marriage between a 18 year old girl and an older prosecutor. It's really cute the whole time so far. Even the serious fighting scenes are super funny and cute. - u/capesmithpavillion

Full House Take 2. Nothing that happens on that show is even remotely plausible, but it's fun. And a lot funnier than I thought it would be, actually. Even the "drama" portions of the series aren't that upsetting. Delicious brain candy!  - u/h_friend

I'm not gonna lie, I wanted to push the evil step mother off the damn building myself in SI but both just have such good, pure-hearted leads (the female in SI and the male in 1DP) that it's just uuhhh so good. And never have I seen such pure, no jealousy involved, wholesome love than the original wife the guy cheats on in 1DP. Ladies, we need to take notes from her selflessness, cuz oohhh it just transcends!!!!  - u/QuestionsFromApple

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo - A show about a weightlifting girl and her struggles, as well as her romance with a swimmer. This show has it sad moments for sure, but the lighthearted feel throughout the show is easy to watch, and it has several hilarious scenes. It's an easy binge, especially after something intense. - unknown

Something About 1 Percent (2016) - Lee Jae-In possesses a good appearance, he is smart and comes from a wealthy family, but he is also arrogant. His grandfather orders Jae-In to enter into a 6 month contract engagement with a female school teacher that he has never met in his life. Lee Jae-In slowly falls in love with her. - u/thabz2281

Shopping King Louie - A show with close to no major conflict along with almost all characters are somehow good-hearted but the two puppy leads will just suck you in and they'll make you enjoy watching them being just in-love with each other. - u/J__dot

Marriage Not Dating - I recommend it for mellowing out after something intense for three reasons: (1) Silly to the extreme. Characters slink and make faces and otherwise engage in broad comedic acting moments - punctuated with sound effects. (2) Great drunk scenes. I mean, I know South Korea is #1 in the OECD in consumption of hard liquor, and that isn't really all that cool if it's because of the stress of living next to a nuclear nightmare about to happen, but the hysterically funny -- and effective -- drunkenness in this drama made me forget that. Plus, one of the characters has a point that alcohol can help people have fun and speak what they need to say. (3) Tons of positive characters in this drama have had, and do have, sex. Nobody's eyes pop open in fear at the first kiss. While many other kdramas don't specify past experiences for their characters, the characters' behavior suggests that virginity is the norm in South Korea. In contrast, Marriage Not Dating's frankness about sex, and the humor that comes from characters' past mistakes, gives this drama a real let your hair down, let it all hang out feeling.  - unknown

After Something Intense, it's great to watch something low-key. In The Time I Loved You 7000 Days they talk a lot. Boy and girl next door. Best friends with a secret. Gentle romcom. - unknown

Pegasus Market (genre: Comedy, Heartwarming) I love how many times this drama has made a lot references and I really appreciate how this drama has bought so much nostalgia.  It is a very unique drama that has a great balance of comedy & unexpected scenarios that also has lessons in life. - u/zephylee

More Charming by the Day - Family sitcom about three grown sisters living with their mother, as well as other family and friends. - u/fduniho

Playful Kiss - Romantic comedy about a girl who loves the smartest boy in school and moves in with him and his parents the very same day she confesses to him and gets rejected. Based on the manga Itazura na Kiss, and much better than the anime. - u/fduniho

To.Jenny - it's super cute and nothing bad happens. - u/GSV_Zero_Gravitas

There is nothing more relaxing than Dae Jang Geum is Watching.  Three descendants of a famous Sageuk kitchen lady/doctor have inherited special food talents which they use for their hobbies - home chef vlogging, restaurant reviews and creating amazing convenience store dishes.  There's also a couple of light romances that develop.  It was my dessert at the end of the day.  - u/LcLou02

The Package is like joining a small-bus tour of France yourself.  You have your first impressions of your fellow travellers, but as you get to know their  quirks, you have to make adjustments.  Our tour guide deals smoothly with just about anything that comes her way, however the single guy causes some unique problems. - u/LcLou02

GoHo's Starry Night - This is a light office romance with the same female lead as Dae Jang Geum is Watching and you can see how she got that part by her clear enjoyment of food!  In this drama she writes a blog as a hobby and invents a star rating system for the men in her life.  A cute,  humourous and short palate cleanser.  - u/LcLou02

EXO Next Door - Short and sweet.  Enjoyable even for people who aren't fans already.  4 of the members come to stay for a while in Chanyeol's Grandad's former house.  The girl who lives next door ends up doing the housekeeping. Her brother bonds with one of the more grumpy members (my favourite scenes!)  - u/LcLou02

Cute, relaxed, romantic drama with poetry. A bit slow, no stress. - u/the-other-otter

The Stockholm syndrome that is so prevalent in many dramas is here fully utilised, but for once it is not the woman who is caught in a wrist grab. The concept is completely unrealistic, and the silly fun continues all the way through the ten episodes. Expect handsome and naive neighbours.  - u/the-other-otter

Fun drama in historic setting using the tropes in the best way. Tough and clever female lead, but she is still a woman, a male lead who has a misunderstood superiority complex, best friends who are wonderfully supportive. A well made drama all around.  - u/the-other-otter

Relaxed story of a group of friends living together. Some heavy stuff, but it is treated in a lighthearted way. Gives you insight in the drama industry, many meta moments, and the most meta episode in the end. A cute love story of people who are usually second leads.  - u/the-other-otter

Welcome to Waikiki - after finally being in the mood for something hilarious, and people, if you need a good laugh, this one delivers! - u/thefibrobee

The Sound of Your Heart 1 is something I’d recommend. Note that it’s closely adapted from the webtoon so its format is less like a drama in that the story isn’t continuously flowing, and more like a sitcom. - u/thefibrobee

18 Again - This drama is perfect to watch after an intense or heavy drama or if you're in a KDrama slump. This one's funny, entertaining and has top notch acting. It does get a bit heartwarming to watch since it focuses a lot on family. But overall it's a package of a drama and I bet this will make you laugh and cry, both! - u/Fatooz

A Love So Beautiful - This is a short and cute high school rom-com that will make you laugh, smile throughout your watch. It deals with most of the school stuff really nicely and to top it it's got a warm feel to it. - u/Fatooz

Cinderella and the Four Knights - Another one of your basic rom-com but it's so hilarious and cute. It's a good lighthearted feel-good watch after something heavy. The FL had such great chemistry with all the four male leads and her antics were the best! - u/Fatooz

I'm Not a Robot - This is yet another one of those sci-fi-ish rom-com that will have you laughing out loud especially the whole concept of a human pretending to be a robot and the ML actually buying that the FL is a robot. The main leads also had great chemistry so that's a plus.  - u/Fatooz

Love in the Moonlight - Personally one of my most favourite historical drama because I loved how it balances the comedy, palace politics and romance altogether. I absolutely loved the love-hate relationship between the main leads and the bromance was so awesome! If you're someone who is trying to watch a lighthearted historical drama then this is perfect for it.  - u/Fatooz

The Tale of Nokdu - Another one of my favourite historical drama that has a good balance of comedy, romance and palace politics. I loved how the ML had to dress up like a woman and that makes it one of the best gender benders I've watched. I genuinely enjoyed the ML's acting as a female and though it has some dark twists, the humor keeps it balanced.  - u/Fatooz

Yumi's Cells - A unique but ordinary rom-com and probably the only KDrama I've watched with live animation. The cells are so cute and if you liked the movie Inside Out then I'm sure you'll love this drama. It's a basic rom-com but it's so hilarious and cute and the animation just adds so much more fun to the drama.  - u/Fatooz

multiple seasons planned