
Because in asian culture referring to someone with their full name is more polite. Referring to someone with their first name sounds intimate, its something you would only do if you’re on close terms with them - unlike in english. This could actually mean that in the future theres some distance between them, but lets hope thats not the case LOL

That’s not quite what I was referring to, I was trying to say that it feels like he’s reciting his name like it’s something he doesn’t want to forget. It’s like Illwoo is the center of this story, and he revolves around him. Even in the title, it’s his full name, and then just “I.” Yeah he could be formal because there’s distance between them (in the present), but it also feels like loss, when you lose someone abruptly and all you have left is their name.
the past tense is killing me, also why does he use his full name when recollecting these things, it gives me more anxiety