Preferably dramas that get to the depth of the main relationship (aka not just innocent, cutesy scenes that shy away from sexual happenings etc). The main relationship has to either be the focus of the entire drama, or if it isn't the focus, it has to at least be a major, major part, and the rest of the political dealings or whatever is the focus have to actually be good. I would also really prefer if it stayed mostly consistent in quality throughout (aka Moon that Embraces the Sun doesn't fit because it majorly falls in quality after the childhood years).
So, it has to have:
- a satisfying romance that is not childlike
- the main couple has to be the major plot/part of the story (but forgivable if they aren't if the story otherwise is good enough)
- consistent in quality all the way through, with no tragic endings please (unless it's like all-time good that I would forgive it, but the most "tragic" I can handle is like the ending of the Princess's Man)
- a little bit of obsession doesn't hurt! & love triangles are okay as long as they don't reach the point of absolute hatred for the second male or female lead like in Delightful Girl Chun Hyang or Ashes of Love
- I really don't care if it's an older or current drama, just as long as there are subs!
My favourites of this genre from different Asian & Eurasian countries: the super obvious Eternal Love (w Mark Chao <3 & Yang Mi) from China, I like Ashes of Love a lot too but that lead relationship didn't end up being quite AS satisfying. Dong Yi, The Princess's Man and Jewel in the Palace for kdrama. Vatanim Sensin (I super, super recommend this if you like any of the above, seriously just watch it) for Turkish series & Poor Nastya for Russian drama. Right now I'm on a cdrama kick, but any country would work.
*I'm currently trying to watch The Story of Ming Lan & while I love the way that it's shot so, so much, I don't know if I should continue because I'm not that huge of a fan of the lead actress nor do any of the relationships grip me so far, and the romance hasn't even started. Is it worth it to watch through?