Jootaek Kim performed as Sharpless in Madama Butterfly at Teatro Pergolesi in Jesi, Italy, in 2010, during the inauguration of the 43rd Stagione Lirica di Tradizione. This production, conducted by Nicola Marasco and directed by Fabio Ceresa, faced the backdrop of significant financial struggles in Italian opera houses at the time. Despite these challenges, the performance continued as part of a co-production involving multiple theaters, showcasing resilience amid the opera sector's economic uncertainty.