Elon Musk might claim that cancel culture has been canceled, but a recent incident in San Francisco suggests otherwise.
A local content creator, known as @itskarlabb, ignited a controversy with a TikTok video revealing a mortifying encounter with chef Luke Sung of Kis Cafe in Hayes Valley.
In her five-minute post, she accused Sung of belittling her follower count and her ‘homey’ recipes while challenging her viewership by asking, ‘Do you know who I am?’ This phrase typically does not fare well for its speaker.
While the video did not directly mention the restaurant’s name, online detectives quickly identified Kis Cafe as the target of the backlash. The posting led to a wave of negative attention that weaved through Yelp and Instagram, putting the establishment’s reputation into jeopardy.
Within just 36 hours of the TikTok’s debut, chef Sung was ousted from his position.
By the end of the week, co-owner Eric Lin announced to The Standard that Kis Cafe would be closing and would later reopen under a different concept. Lin expressed uncertainty about the timeline but prioritized compensating his staff and ensuring the food on hand was not wasted.
‘I’m monitoring the virality of everything,’ Lin stated. ‘It should be soon.’
While Lin characterized Sung’s exit as a personal decision, the repercussions extended far beyond the walls of Kis Cafe. Isa, a Cal-French restaurant in the Marina that Sung previously owned, received significant backlash, prompting its current owner to plead for clemency in the comment section of the TikTok.
During a recent interview with Lin, two onlookers were spotted taking photos of the restaurant through the window, a testament to the intense scrutiny facing Kis Cafe.
Despite the chaos, Lin remains committed to moving forward, but the incident raises critical questions about authority in the modern dining scene.
The changing landscape indicates that chefs and restaurant owners no longer control their narratives as they once did.
The power dynamics now favor influencers and critics, calling into question the equity of accountability within this ecosystem. Efforts to contact the individual behind @itskarlabb yielded no response.
Even after her story gained national attention and over 21 million views, her identity remains anonymous. Following her viral success—growing her follower count from 20,000 to over 400,000—she has not participated in interviews or acknowledged the impact of her actions.
Several readers expressed disapproval of her actions, arguing that the repercussions of her post were disproportionate to the initial encounter, with one commenter questioning the ethics of destroying a business over a simple interaction.
The randomness of targeted negativity raises eyebrows as well. While one chef faces the consequence of public humiliation, another with allegations of misconduct opens a new restaurant successfully.
In San Francisco’s food industry, cancel culture appears to be unwavering, despite Musk’s proclamations.
The episode is not an isolated one. In June, Swan Oyster Depot faced hostility after a local influencer spotlighted a Trump hat’s mere presence. Similarly, influencer Kat Ensign stirred a chef’s resignation from three restaurants due to harassment allegations earlier this year. Last week, a local coach chastised Ritual Coffee over a failed parking voucher after spending $43 at the establishment.
It poses a stark contrast: venting frustrations against large corporations like Southwest Airlines is one thing, but lashing out at small businesses that may lack crisis management resources is quite another.
Influencers often operate with little adherence to professional ethics. Many accept complimentary meals in exchange for favorable exposure, which raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
The current environment fosters incentives for influencers to orchestrate viral moments around minor grievances, retreating into anonymity once the wave of attention dies down.
In a follow-up TikTok, @itskarlabb expressed gratitude for the support she received, seemingly unfazed by the turmoil she caused.
The question remains: has the influence of the attention economy reached an unassailable level?
As Lin contemplates the future direction of Kis Cafe, he remains open to collaboration with influencers, emphasizing the need for fairness in evaluating content creators.
However, that willingness might not be a risk that other restaurant proprietors are willing to take.
image source from：sfstandard
