corecore

Corecore is an internet aesthetic and video editing style that collages imagery from a wide range of “core” subcultures—such as cottagecore, goblincore, and memecore—into rapid, often non-narrative montages. The genre emphasizes the juxtaposition of disparate visuals and sounds to create a sense of information overload, simultaneity, and existential reflection. Corecore videos typically foreground ambient, synth, or glitchy soundtracks and rely on stock footage or freely licensed media, with minimal or no spoken dialogue.

Origins of corecore are tied to the broader rise of “core” aesthetics in online culture, where creators began layering elements from multiple subgenres to critique or parody curated online identities. The term itself is used descriptively to refer to this meta, collage-based approach rather than to a single author or moment. It gained visibility in the early to mid-2020s on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, where editors experimented with cross-cutting imagery to evoke collective media saturation and the pressure of modern living.

Key characteristics include rapid cuts, overlapping imagery, a collage mindset, and a focus on mood over explicit narrative. Common motifs include pastoral scenes alongside urban or digital visuals, a mix of cute and uncanny elements, and subtle political or philosophical undercurrents. Corecore is often used as background for videos, streams, or music, and has sparked discussions about what constitutes authenticity, taste, and meaning in a media-saturated environment.