THE APEX TIMES
ZEROBASEONE discusses performing “Closer” at KCON LA 2026 and Matthew’s “Hey Bye Threw” YouTube channel
In an interview tied to KCON LA 2026, ZEROBASEONE talked about the songs they plan to perform, including “Closer,” and Matthew addressed his separate YouTube channel, “Hey Bye Threw,” alongside updates about the group’s current release cycle.
ZEROBASEONE spoke about their plans for KCON LA 2026, including what fans can expect from the group’s live set at the annual K-pop convention. The group told Billboard they will perform “Closer” as part of their appearance at the 2026 event, framing the track as one of the highlights of their stage programming for the Los Angeles crowd.
The interview also placed their performance within the group’s broader release activity. ZEROBASEONE said they are promoting new music through an EP titled “Zerose,” and the KCON LA 2026 set is being positioned as another platform to connect with international audiences during the same cycle.
Band and audience dynamics were a central focus, with the group describing how they think about live moments for fans in a larger arena setting. Their discussion of “Closer” highlighted the way stage selections can reinforce a song’s identity in front of a crowd, particularly at a festival-style event where attendees may be encountering multiple acts across genres and generations.
Alongside the group’s KCON plans, Matthew addressed his independent YouTube presence. He discussed his “Hey Bye Threw” YouTube channel, describing it as a space where he engages with viewers outside the group’s standard promotional activities and music-centered schedule.
Billboard’s conversation indicated that Matthew’s channel is not treated as a replacement for group work, but as a separate outlet that fans can follow in parallel. The comments underscored how members of K-pop groups increasingly cultivate personal channels that run alongside official group platforms, creating additional touchpoints for international audiences.
The interview arrived as KCON LA 2026 continues to serve as a high-visibility stop for major Korean artists seeking live engagement with U.S.-based fans. For ZEROBASEONE, the combination of a specified “Closer” performance, promotion of the EP “Zerose,” and Matthew’s ongoing YouTube activity ties their convention appearance to both group branding and member-level media habits.
As the KCON LA 2026 set date approaches, fans are likely to look for additional confirmation about the full track list and on-stage sequencing, beyond the highlighted “Closer” performance. Meanwhile, the group’s push around “Zerose” and Matthew’s remarks about “Hey Bye Threw” point to continued multi-channel promotion that extends past live performances into ongoing creator content.
Why It Matters
- KCON LA 2026 is a major U.S. venue for K-pop promotion, giving specific performances like “Closer” a wider live audience.
- Promoting an EP such as “Zerose” at a convention can link release visibility to in-person fan engagement during the same cycle.
- Matthew’s comments about “Hey Bye Threw” illustrate how member-driven platforms can expand audience touchpoints beyond music releases.
- Stage set choices can shape how international audiences perceive tracks, especially at multi-act events where discovery happens quickly.
- The combination of group promotion and creator-content activity reflects ongoing changes in how K-pop acts manage exposure across formats.
Sources
Key Facts
- ZEROBASEONE said they will perform “Closer” at KCON LA 2026.
- ZEROBASEONE discussed their new EP, “Zerose,” in the context of their current promotion.
- Matthew discussed his YouTube channel, “Hey Bye Threw,” during the KCON LA 2026 interview.
- The discussion was conducted in connection with ZEROBASEONE’s appearance at KCON LA 2026.
- The interview tied live-stage planning, current release activity, and member-level media activity to the group’s convention presence.