This is not new This is a policy that is implemented under the Obama Administration former Trump campaign manager. Other hardcore K-pop fans also pool their money together to buy presents including billboard ads in Times Square for their idols. Some can even produce their own content as well.
In fact actress Gong Seung Yeon is her older sister.
Sunggyu was only 8-9 years old back then. K-Pop idols have an image to maintain and in doing so it becomes quite hard to be vulnerable and honest on camera about their feelings. Theres a lot of glitz glamour and money in the K-pop world but according to former K-pop idol Prince Mak very few idols actually see much of that money in their own pockets. In fact actress Gong Seung Yeon is her older sister.