NBA YoungBoy Says He Will Never Return to the United States After Relocating to South Korea

Rapper Kentrell Gaulden, known professionally as NBA YoungBoy, told listeners of the *Funny Marco’s Open Thoughts* podcast that he has permanently left the United States and is now residing in South Korea. The 26-year-old father of 13 described the country as “out of the way,” emphasizing its safety and cleanliness. When asked if he might ever come back, he responded unequivocally that he would never return.

People Magazine

YoungBoy’s relocation follows a series of legal setbacks. He was sentenced in December 2024 to 23 months in federal prison on weapons-related charges, but was released in March 2025 after receiving credit for time already served. The court then ordered him to serve the remainder of his sentence under home confinement. In May, former President Donald Trump granted him a full pardon, a move that YoungBoy publicly thanked him for, noting the pardon allowed him to continue building his life as a man, father, and artist.

People Magazine

President Trump’s pardon was announced through the White House, citing the rapper’s potential for rehabilitation. YoungBoy’s gratitude was expressed in the podcast interview, where he highlighted the opportunity to focus on his children and artistic career without the constraints of his prior legal situation.

People Magazine

The rapper’s decision to settle in South Korea places significant geographic distance between him and his extensive family in the United States. He indicated that his children remain his top priority, noting that they have the means to travel to see him. The move also underscores a broader trend of high-profile U.S. entertainers seeking new environments abroad after legal entanglements, though YoungBoy’s case is distinct in its permanence and the explicit statement that he will never return.

People Magazine