The Dream meme primarily stems from the Minecraft speedrunner and YouTuber Dream. It gained massive traction following the release of his music video 'Mask,' where the lyrics and animation regarding hiding emotions behind a smiling mask became a template for both genuine expression and ironic parody. The meme is often used to contrast a happy exterior with a distressed or specific internal reality, frequently referencing the Dream SMP community or speedrunning culture. It saw a second surge during his highly anticipated face reveal, cementing its place in internet history as a symbol of online identity and creator fandom.