Former Kis Cafe chef apologizes to local social media influencer

(KRON) — Prominent San Francisco chef Luke Sung has issued a public apology following a disastrous encounter with a local social media influencer last week. The incident cost him his job as head chef of Kis Cafe and caused the restaurant to unexpectedly shutter.

The drama started after TikTok user @itskarlabb posted about an argument she had with Sung on July 23. In the video, she described how Sung allegedly belittled her and her modest social media following during a scheduled “collaboration” with the restaurant. The influencer said that she was brought to tears after the chef disrespected and embarrassed her in front of his staff.

The post quickly went viral, receiving more than 20 million views. The video resulted in a wave of negative restaurant reviews and drew comments from major internet personalities like podcaster Alex Cooper. While the restaurant continues to deal with the fallout of the public relations nightmare, @itskarlabb’s fanbase has soared from 15,000 to nearly 375,000 followers in four days.

On Sunday, Sung took to the restaurant’s Instagram account to apologize to the influencer and take responsibility for his actions.

“I am truly sorry for my actions towards you,” the chef wrote. “I was condescending, hurtful, and intimidating. You did not deserve to be made to feel less than or unimportant, nobody does.”

Read Sung’s full statement below:

Hi everyone- I am Luke Sung (previous chef of Kis Cafe). It was important for me to first apologize to Karla privately and step away from Kis cafe before publicly apologizing.

Karla – I am truly sorry for my actions towards you. I was condescending, hurtful, and intimidating. You did not deserve to be made to feel less than or unimportant, nobody does. Regardless, I thank you for teaching me a valuable lesson in kindness and respect.

There are no excuses to be made, and I’ve decided it’s time for me to step away from Kis Cafe permanently and in all capacities.

I also want to be clear, the responsibility of this whole situation is mine alone and my behavior should not be a reflection on anyone else who works there, or anyone who is related to me. I truly care about my staff and am devastated that my actions have impacted both them and their families.

I have worked with many of the employees at the restaurant for years and they are incredible people who don’t deserve to suffer due to my behavior.

Finally, the last person I want to apologize to is my daughter Isabelle. I am sorry I put you in this position, and am ashamed that you had to be the one to own up for my mistake.

All I have ever wanted to do is give you the opportunity to create a better life for yourself than the one I grew up with, and I’ve failed you in the worst way. I came to this country to give all of my kids the best chance to work hard toward their goals, and now I’ve given the public nothing but a reason to tear them down for my actions.

I am sorry for disrespecting all of your efforts and hard work to build your careers.

To Karla, my kids, and everyone else in the hospitality industry, I hope you will accept my apology and thank you for taking the time to listen to me.

– Sincerely, Luke Sung
San Francisco chef Luke Sung