A prominent chef has lost his job after making a TikTok influencer cry over her follower count, sparking massive online backlash.
Luke Sung, co-owner of Kis Cafe, stepped down from the venture after Karla, a “micro” food vlogger with 15,000 followers, detailed her humiliating experience at the restaurant on social media.
The incident has resulted in the cafe being “temporarily closed” as it re-evaluates its direction.
The controversy began when Karla visited the restaurant as part of a prearranged partnership, where she and a plus one would eat for free in exchange for promotional content.
However, Sung questioned her follower count, calling it a “mistake” to invite an influencer with such a small following. The influencer was left in tears after being belittled and has since gained nearly 370,000 followers.
In a statement, the restaurant condemned Sung’s behavior, saying it was “unacceptable” and “does not reflect the remainder of our team.”
The co-owner, who wished to remain anonymous due to online threats, stated that the cafe would “restart differently” without Sung.
Karla, who has become an advocate for micro-influencers, said she wants to highlight the importance of respecting individuals regardless of their online following.
“You don’t need to have a million followers to be respected or feel like you’re making a difference,” she explained.
Meanwhile, the restaurant is reeling from the fallout, with negative reviews flooding its social media pages.
Karla’s comments section, on the other hand, is filled with job offers from prominent brands.