What Is Hopecore? Meaning, Origin, and Full Explanation

Hopecore is a new category of content where emotions like hope, motivation, inspiration, positivity, success, and good family relationships are presented. Examples include an army dad hugging his daughter when he comes back home, a video of dancing with grandparents at a function, a video of a proposal to somebody’s love, a video of someone’s small or big achievements.

We can say that hopecore is a type of content which provokes happiness in people rather than spreading fear through social media. In this post, we are gonna discuss all about hopecore, its meaning, where it originated, its different types, and also how you can make a hopecore video. An example of a hopecore video:

Where did Hopecore come from?

If we go back in history, we can look back to the early era of television, when social media was not so popular. George Media researcher Gerbner gave his cultivation theory on media usage. He noticed that heavy TV viewers often develop a distorted view of reality. He explained the Mean World Syndrome, which explains that the people who are watching more violent content on media have made up their minds that the real world is also that much more dangerous.

This theory proves that negative news has a negative impact on the viewers, users change their concepts and emotions according to the media. If they see violence on TV, they will be terrified, if they see sad things, they will get sad, or if they see some hopeful content, they will be encouraged. So, this shows how powerful the media is in controlling users emotions and moods. And, we can use it to change user’s moods and can make them feel better.

So happy or motivational content like Hopecore will definitely have a positive impact on users. If we search for #hopecore on platforms like TikTok, Instagram image carousel posts, or YouTube shorts, we will see hundreds of videos with positive headlines like, ‘Humanity is still alive’, “Being happy is richer than being rich”, “Life is beautiful”, “You are doing good, have faith in your hard work”. All these content types fall in hopecore.

The trends started to pick up in late 2023 and 2024. It became viral, and thousands of people started posting hopecore videos.

Key Concepts in Hopecore?

Here are just a few of the topics you might find in hopecore content:

Breathtaking landscapes

Hopecore content may contain some natural phenomena to provoke hope in people. A video of vast green landscapes, big mountains, water flow in rivers and lakes, beautifully captured sunrises and sunsets, cheerfully presented full and half moon videos, all this content gives people a relaxed feeling. They learn from nature that every big happening takes time and hard work. And, they should never lose hope. They realize that after every darkness of night, there is light from the sun, after every failure or dark period in their lives, they will also see relief. Their dark nights of failure will one day become shining bright success.

Motivational speeches

Motivational speeches is another type of hopecore which intends to encourage people. A video of any motivational speaker sparks an energy in people. If they see any video of someone telling his success story, or some disabled person’s video who has achieved something big in his life, or anything else motivating, they will be inspired. They will think they can also do something like others.

Cute kids and pets

This type of hopecore gives another way of happiness. Some people post about having kids or pets is the most beautiful feeling on this planet. They may use captions like ‘My kid made my day’, they may post a small kid talking in a cute way with their parents, this all gives them a feeling of happiness and satisfaction. They realize happiness also lies in small things rather than money or success.

Following video gives a perfect example of hopecore where a child sees this world for the first time with glasses:

@syedalirazaskari

First time seeing the world clearly 👓💔 #creatorsearchinsights #reaction #emotional #love #hopecore

♬ original sound – Syed Ali Raza Askari

Engagements and weddings

This is another type of hopecore. Nowadays, some violent cases go viral about failed marriages or cheating partners, so people are frustrated that in a relationship, they will get the same outcomes. So, if somebody posts about “found my love of life” with a cute proposal or wedding video, the audience will get emotional. They will start believing in true love.

Reunions

Randomly scrolling through any app, such as TikTok, and we see friends meet up after years. It will instantly remind us of our golden period with friends. We will immediately forget every mishap and will contact our friends again. This can be possible.

Random acts of kindness

Random acts of kindness are actually one of the purest and most human expressions of hopecore. We often see positivity, hope or success in hopeore, but showing some kindness is another level of hopecore. Opening a door for someone, leaving some notes, helping old people at a road cross, and paying for a stranger’s coffee, it reminds us that goodness hasn’t disappeared.

Achievements big and small

Achieving something in life, either small things or attaining any big goal, has a strong connection to hopecore. It makes people believe that progress, growth, and healing are real, more than a fantasy. Even a small achievement makes sure that doing something makes a difference. Hopecore is built on the belief that progress is possible and achievements are the evidence.

What makes Hopecore so well-liked?

Nowadays, in the hassle of this world, everyone is stressed or disappointed. A small hopecore content makes them feel better for some time. Everyone loves positivity, so people turn towards feel-good messages. This becomes their common intention.

If we notice the likes and comments of a hopecore video, we will also see many shares and saves. This act shows people save for later so that whenever they would feel down or disheartened, this video will make them happier. Or, it will give them a sense of hope.

Another important thing in Hopecore’s popularity is that it motivates people in a soft way. Not like a traditional motivation video that wakes you up at 5 am, have a healthy breakfast, or go gym.

Another reason for its popularity is inspiring people to reconnect with the real world rather than social media. We all now remain busy with using social media all day and do not interact with people around us, even with our family. Then a hopecore video showing interaction with family inspires people to get out of social media and interact with others.

How to Make Hopecore Video?

You can make your video if you have a smartphone, a positive attitude, and social media. You do not need any fancy equipment for this. Creating a hopecore video is all about capturing light, gentleness, resilience, and small moments of goodness. Here are simple following some steps you need to follow:

Select a Hopecore Theme

If you have a plan in mind about a video, you can go with that, but it is not good practice to copy someone’s work. You may take ideas about your video, but make it in a unique way. You can choose options as we discussed above for different types of hopecore videos. Or you may go with one of the following options:

• Healing and recovery
• Kindness and humanity
• New beginnings
• Light after darkness
• Everyday beauty
• Personal growth

Once you have picked the idea of your hopecore, move to the next step.

Create or Gather your Visual Content

If you plan to make your own hopecore video, then shoot some visuals. Make an archive of them. Or if you want to go with images, like if you plan to use some Nature scenes: trees, oceans, skies, flowers, grass, then gather royalty free images. You may use Pixabay, Pixels, or any other platform to source these images.

And, if you want to use someone’s likeness in your hopecore, then it’s better to get their permission. Otherwise, you may face penalties. Your social media can be removed, demonetized, or muted. After collecting the visual content, edit them in any software, apply necessary effects where needed. Adjust your editing style to match hopecore aesthetics:

• Warm tones (gold, peach, soft green)
• Slight glow or haze
• Slow transitions (fade in/out)
• Gentle motion blur or slow motion
• No harsh cuts or loud effects

And for music, also opt for soft, hopeful, uplifting, and piano type. Your hopecore visual content is ready.

Add Motivational Captions and Text

Regarding the text and caption, there rise a lot more questions. Is it enough to use only hopecore hashtags, or should we add some more, which will increase hope messages, or a healing or a happiness message? You may add an inspirational line in the visual content, such as: “Light always returns”, “Better days are coming”, etc.

Now you are ready to post on social media. So, after all the above discussion, we can conclude that hopecore is not just content, it’s a peaceful vibe. Now it’s not possible to get rid of social media, but we may change the content to make people relaxed.