What is hopecore?
Learn what hopecore music and videos are, and how you can use them.
The world can be a scary place — hopecore’s here to fix that. Learn all about the trend, where it came from, and what you need to create next-level hopecore videos.
We’ll cover:
- Hopecore explained — what you need to know
- How did hopecore start?
- Is hopecore ironic?
- How to make hopecore videos
- Where to find the best hopecore music
Hopecore explained — what you need to know
Hopecore is a social media trend that does as the name suggests: it’s purposefully hopeful, feel-good content. Whether you deal in videos or image carousels, hopecore pushes back against the bad news, clickbait, and doomscrolling that take up so much space online.
Hopecore videos and carousels can cover anything from fitness goals to cute animals, personal achievements to scenic stock images, and everything in between. They could feature text pasted across the visuals, a powerful message in the caption, or no text at all.
These cheerful chunks of content are usually accompanied by upbeat, emotionally stirring music. Check out this video from We Love You to get a feel for the hopecore aesthetic.
@_weloveyou__ …and that’s okay! Tag a friend who likes metaphors #hopecore #friendship #wholesome #wesanderson ♬ Where'd All the Time Go? - Dr. Dog
Here are just a few of the topics you might find in hopecore content:
- Breathtaking landscapes
- Motivational speeches
- Cute kids and pets
- Engagements and weddings
- Reunions
- Random acts of kindness
- Achievements big and small
- Inspirational moments from TV shows and movies
Ultimately, it’s about affirming oneself, seizing the day, and believing that the world is good. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, and that’s fine — hopecore encourages viewers to enjoy whatever they can, however they can.
@hopecorelover313 The best man 🥹 We must be able to find positivity in all things, in small gifts, great announcements, slightest interactions, and unanticipated surprises, we must be willing to live our lives to the fullest. Follow to stay on hopecore 🫶 #hopecore #wholesome #positivity #fyp #jesus #fypシ ♬ original sound - hopecorelover313
How did hopecore start?
The general premise for hopecore’s been around for a while: put something happy out there and prove that life is beautiful. The term was allegedly coined in 2023, and by early 2024, hopecore compilations were all over TikTok.
Everything from cute animals to soldiers returning home — you name it. Nothing linked these clips together aside from the good vibes, which is where the “core” suffix comes from.
While hopecore blew up on TikTok, it’s by no means platform-exclusive. Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and more are full of hopecore content, from both solo creators and brands. Take a look at the below advert for McDonald’s, which uses hopecore to show the joy found in a simple McDelivery.
Is hopecore ironic?
Hopecore posts are so full of positivity, so life-affirming…could they just be memes? Ironic, super-happy, exaggerated posts for comedy’s sake?
The internet being what it is, that’s what’s happened. “Original” hopecore still exists, but you may be equally familiar with hopecore memes that poke fun at the trend.
@lightscamerabitchsmile13 And it wont change 😍 #symphony #hopecore ♬ Symphony (feat. Zara Larsson) - Clean Bandit
How to make hopecore videos
Hopecore’s broad definition makes the barrier to entry pretty low. As long as you have a positive attitude, a smartphone, and social media, you can create some first-class hopecore.
1. Select your hopecore template, or start from scratch
If you have a favorite hopecore video or carousel in mind, use that as your starting point. Naturally, you don’t need to — and shouldn’t — copy anyone’s work, but you can use the format and layout for inspiration.
2. Assemble your visual content
Shoot some footage, pull content from the archives, or create a blend of both. Remember to secure permission from anyone you include in your original content, and gather the correct rights to any archival or third-party footage. Add them to your editing software’s project timeline, trim them, and add effects as necessary.
If you use someone’s likeness or footage without checking those boxes, your content could be muted, demonetized, or even removed. It’s not worth the risk — nor does it feel particularly hopeful!
3. Nail your captions and text
Aside from the hopecore hashtag, what else can you fit in the description? Which other hashtags and keywords are screaming out to be included? Does the in-content text add anything to the visual, or is it best saved for the captions? This might sound like admin, but it’s a crucial step for discoverability and accessibility.
4. Add your hopecore music
No hopecore content is truly complete without the life-changing, tear-jerking, soul-ascending soundtrack. You could try to find music in an on-platform catalog, but this often comes with usage and monetization restrictions.
Or, you could use Epidemic Sound.
Where to find the best hopecore music
Epidemic Sound’s hopecore playlist has everything you need to soundtrack your content. Whether you need solo piano, ambient music, indietronica, or something else entirely, we’ve got you covered.
Hopecore goes beyond genre — it’s a vibe. Our playlist covers a wide spectrum, but if you can’t find exactly what you want there, don’t sweat it. Explore our catalog with filters like genre, mood, BPM, and more, or search with a reference Spotify link for instant suggestions.
Our catalog is high-quality, affordable, and safe. An Epidemic Sound subscription goes beyond royalty-free music, removing the headache of licensing and freeing you up to do what you do best.
You can enjoy the safety of our license hand-in-hand with our catalog of 50,000 tracks, covering just about every genre you can think of. You’ll also gain unlimited access to our advanced search functions and editing tools — finding the right sound’s never been easier.
It’s better than royalty-free. It’s worry-free. Get started with Epidemic Sound below.
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