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3w ago

Chef Luke Sung Apologizes After Viral Video as Kis Cafe Closes Permanently

His apology follows a social media post with more than 20 million views, reflecting users’ power to mobilize review-bombing that sank a Hayes Valley wine bar.

Outdoor seating area along a tree-lined street with boutique storefronts and parked cars, Hayes Valley, San Francisco, California, November 2, 2024
In this archive photo, Luke Sung poses at his former restaurant Lux in San Francisco’s Marina District. The former Kis Cafe chef apologized publicly Sunday after a TikTok influencer accused him of belittling her during a visit to the San Francisco restaurant.
TikToker itskarlabb next to a 'closed' sign.
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Overview

  • Luke Sung admitted on Instagram that he was “condescending, hurtful, and intimidating” to influencer @itskarlabb and announced his permanent departure from Kis Cafe.
  • The Hayes Valley wine bar held its final service on July 27 and will remain closed indefinitely after a flood of negative online reviews.
  • The influencer’s TikTok account rose from about 15,000 to nearly 380,000 followers after her video detailing the exchange went viral.
  • Yelp ratings for Kis Cafe plunged from roughly 4.5 stars to just over 2 stars, and Sung’s former restaurant Isa also faced a surge of one-star reviews.
  • The episode illustrates how micro-influencers can rapidly shape hospitality reputations through coordinated digital backlash.