San Francisco Chef Ousted from Own Restaurant After Influencer Incident

San Francisco, CA A recent incident involving local restaurant owner Luke Sung and TikTok influencer Karla has sparked significant public discussion and led to changes at Kis Cafe. The controversy began when Sung allegedly dismissed Karla for her social media follower count, causing her distress. In response to the widespread attention, Kis Cafe released a statement confirming that "Our chef's behavior was unacceptable and he is no longer part of the team as a co-owner, a chef or in any other way." The statement also indicated that Sung had reached out to Karla with a personal apology. The restaurant announced an upcoming temporary closure for "restructuring after these events" to ensure a welcoming and respectful environment for all. Sources indicate that Kis Cafe, named after Sung's son, may undergo a rebranding during its closure. It has also been confirmed that Sung continues to operate another establishment, Domo Sushi, located on Laguna Street in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Karla's TikTok following has seen a substantial increase, reportedly rising from 17,000 to over 158,000 overnight following the incident, underscoring the powerful impact of social media in contemporary public relations.

Los Angeles Times

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