Looking for a serious J-Drama

I've spent the last two years or so watching mostly Korean dramas. I've seen a handful of Japanese dramas, but nothing that really got me hooked onto them. I'm slowly growing tired of all of the cliches they toss into Korean dramas, so I'd like to switch it up for a little while and watch others. The only problem is that the Japanese ones I have seen are very exaggerated. I get that that seems to be a big thing with Japanese shows, but I'm hoping there are some that aren't nearly as...wacky.

1 litre 14 sai no haha densha otoko are all based on real life stories

Romance Genre:
http://mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/491/pride
http://mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/782/beautiful-life - one of my favorite drama
http://mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/56/tatta-hitotsu-no-koi

Medical Genre:
http://mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/655/iryu-team-medical-dragon

Mystery/Psychological Genre:
http://mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/280/keizoku-2-spec
http://mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/85/orthros-no-inu
http://mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/495/yasha

Detective Genre:
http://mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/1858/ice-world
http://mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/155/tantei-gakuen-q
http://mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/165/joker-yurusarezaru-sousakan

Family Drama Genre:
http://mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/3036/nankyoku-tairiku-kami-no-ryouiki-ni-idomunda-otoko-to-inu-no
http://mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/3009/shiroi-haru
http://mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/2662/soredemo-ikite-yuku
http://mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/252/bara-no-nai-hanaya

not sure to understand what you are looking for, but I could recommend Sunao ni narenakute. But the fisrt that popped into my mind when reading your post was Ninkyo Helper. While reading the plot, you may think it could be another silly one (i thought the same, and avoided it for a long time). Watching it was a big shock. Not funny at all, but questions important and actual issues.

Currently hooked into 'karamazov no kyodai' suspense, psycological, dark others, Genre-drama Orange days Yamato nadesiko last christmas Attention plz Byakuyakou Kekkon dekinai Genre- medical Doctor x Genre- detective/police Boss Hero Mr brain Galileo Genre- high school Sprout Life

Here's my long list of less wacky JDramas. I prefer more story driven shows too so hopefully there will be something in here for you. If you want to know something specific about any of these just ask. :) Osozaki no Himawari Last Friends Sprout Piece Rich Man Poor Woman Bunshin Kazoku no Uta Holyland Last Money ~ Price of Love Boku to Star no 99 Nichi Soredemo Ikite Yuku Brother Beat Aozora no Tamago Tenshi no Wakemae Guilty Akuma to Keiyakushita Onna First Kiss Boku no Dake no Madonna Maou Nagareboshi Clone Baby Quartet Hi wa mata Noboru Ryusei no Kizuna Taisetsu na koto wa subete kimi ga oshiete kureta Love Shuffle (Funny but also has a serious side) Daisuki!! Tatta Hitotsu no Koi Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora Orange Days Sunao ni Narenakute Aikurushii Cat Street Akai Ito Yasha Tsuki no Koibito Innocent Love Sweet Room Dr. Koto's Clinic 1/2 + Specials Strawberry On the Shortcake Long Love Letter Voice Shiroi Haru Triangle