I think I did run across one distro that had minimal KDE install in the installer. I think it was KaOS Linux (Arch base with QT toolkit).

If you continue to struggle with issues you might want to try EndeavourOS (Arch base)or even Tuxedo (Ubuntu base). Both are nearly on opposite ends of the Linux spectrum.

I ran MX Linux (Debian base) for over a year and now I'm back to EndeavourOS with KDE6. Maybe I'll post my desktop if I remember.