Renowned Chef Luke Sung Resigns from Kis Café After Viral Influencer Incident

27 July 2025

Chef and co‑owner Luke Sung has stepped away from Kis Café in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley after a micro‑influencer’s TikTok post about a disrespectful encounter at the restaurant triggered overwhelming public backlash and ultimately led to the eatery’s temporary closure. Known for his acclaimed earlier restaurant Isa, Sung was swiftly disassociated from the venture after the influencer, @itskarlabb (Karla), posted a video describing how her 15,000‑follower status was disparaged by him and his staff when she arrived for a planned promotional collaboration.

The video, viewed by over nine million people and helping her following surge into the hundreds of thousands, recounted how she overheard staff critique her reach, was confronted about her knowledge of Kis Café, had her TikTok feed played at full volume, and was told her audience was not the type of clientele suitable for the establishment. The emotional impact, she said, led her to leave the venue in tears.

In an official statement, Kis Café’s leadership acknowledged that Sung’s conduct was unacceptable and confirmed that he no longer holds any role at the restaurant. The team expressed regret for failing to create a welcoming environment. They also announced plans to close temporarily for restructuring while assuring that remaining staff would continue to receive support. The restaurant clarified that Sung’s departure was voluntary and said he had reached out to the influencer with a personal apology.

The incident grew into a classic cautionary tale of modern hospitality confronting social media influence. Comments across platforms condemned the chef’s behavior and praised the influencer for exposing the mistreatment of a micro‑creator. Meanwhile, review‑bombing decimated Kis Café’s online ratings, with Google Maps and Yelp listings dropping to as low as one star. Even Isa, the chef’s former restaurant, received negative reviews, prompting its owners to publicly clarify that it is no longer associated with Sung.

Many food and hospitality professionals have since weighed in, arguing that collaborating with influencers is now standard practice and should be handled with basic courtesy. The fallout serves as a demonstration of how quickly reputations can collapse under the velocity of viral video, as one operator put it, “this is the internet.” Some commentators called the influencer landscape “part of the F&B ecosystem” while warning that mistreating creators especially smaller ones can lead to real damage in brand equity.

Kis Café, which had opened just a few months earlier in May, had been Sung’s return to the restaurant scene after a prolonged absence. The establishment offered elevated small‑plate dining in a wine‑bar setting, but now faces uncertainty. The current owner has suggested a possible relaunch under new leadership after restructuring, emphasizing a desire to separate the business identity from the controversy while preserving staff livelihoods.

For Karla, the influencer, the moment became an illustrated example that micro‑creators deserve respect regardless of metrics. She suggested that the event was less about follower count and more about humanity, a message that resonated widely as she gained a massive following overnight. The episode has prompted broader reflection on respect, professionalism, and boundaries when influencers engage with hospitality brands, regardless of scale or fame. Karla has said she wants to empower other micro‑influencers to persist in pursuing content creation with integrity and pride