In the hot summer of July 2014, Julian Kim made his debut at Terme di Caracalla in Rome, performing the role of Marcello in an open-air production of La Bohème. Directed by Davide Livermore, the production featured a striking rectangular LED screen angled across the back of the stage, displaying Impressionist-style imagery. These digital projections reflected Marcello’s inner world as a painter and evoked the changing moods of the opera’s settings. The high-definition visuals stood in bold contrast to the ancient Roman ruins surrounding the open-air theater, creating a surreal blend of classical grandeur and modern innovation. The production took place during a period of dispute between the opera house and the orchestra, and some performances were accompanied by piano instead of a full orchestra.