I think that definitely seems hype... Doge is used in a lot of games and such, but it has no serious development behind it, seems almost like a side hobby taken by pro developers...
and to reach $1 seems to be on a galaxy far, far away... (unfortunately)
I also think like you that dogecoin to $ 1 is still very far.
but I see Dogecoin loved by many people, regardless of HYPE or the like. in the future, we do not know what will happen to Dogecoin, maybe Doge will go to $ 1.