"I've Failed You": S.F. Chef Confronts Viral Feud with Influencer

The Chef's Public Apology and the Closure of Kis Cafe

A San Francisco chef, Luke Sung, found himself at the center of a viral social media controversy after an incident involving a TikTok influencer. The situation has led to a public apology from Sung and the permanent closure of the restaurant where the event took place.

Sung, who was previously the chef and co-owner of Kis Cafe in Hayes Valley, stepped down from his role following widespread backlash over how he treated the influencer. The restaurant, which had only been open since May, announced its final night of service on Saturday and confirmed it would no longer operate.

In a heartfelt message posted on Kis Cafe’s Instagram page, Sung began with an apology. "Hi everyone - I am Luke Sung," he wrote. "It was important for me to first apologize to Karla privately and step away from Kis Cafe before publicly apologizing." He acknowledged being "condescending, hurtful, and intimidating" during the encounter with the influencer.

The incident gained significant attention after the influencer, known as @ItsKarlaBB, shared her experience in a TikTok video that received over 20 million views. In the video, she described how Sung dismissed her content and questioned the value of her audience. According to her account, after briefly reviewing her TikTok profile, the chef stated that her videos were not at the level he wanted to represent his restaurant.

She also claimed that Sung criticized her followers, suggesting they were not the type of people who would dine at his establishment. "It seemed like he was insinuating that my followers would not be able to afford to eat at this restaurant," she said in the video.

The conversation escalated when Sung asked if she knew who he was. She responded that she did not. He then mentioned that he was a James Beard Award recipient or finalist, which left her speechless. Sung reportedly followed up by comparing her to his daughter, Isabelle "Isa" Sung, who has 600,000 TikTok followers. This comparison further fueled the tension between them.

In response to the incident, Sung issued a full apology, stating, "There are no excuses to be made. I've decided it's time for me to step away from Kis Cafe permanently and in all capacities." He emphasized that the responsibility for the situation rested solely on him and that his actions should not reflect on the staff or those connected to him.

Yelp and Google reviews for both Kis Cafe and Sung’s former restaurant, Isa, have been flooded with one-star ratings. The fallout has been swift, with the restaurant initially apologizing and confirming that Sung was no longer affiliated with the business in any way.

Sung also addressed his staff and family, expressing deep regret. "I am sorry I put you in this position," he wrote. "I've failed you in the worst way." His message highlighted the emotional impact of the incident on his personal life.

On Saturday, Kis Cafe shared a final message, expressing gratitude for the support of their community. "It has been a pleasure serving our neighbors and community," the post read. "Tonight is our last night."

As the story continues to unfold, it underscores the complex relationship between restaurants and influencers, who can significantly impact a business’s reputation—either positively or negatively.