Who Is Isa Sung? Influencer Speaks Out After Her Father, Chef Luke Sung, Humiliates Microinfluencer At Kis Cafe

Isa Sung, daughter of San Francisco chef Luke Sung, has broken her silence following a viral controversy that forced her father to step down from Kis Cafe.

In a personal video posted to TikTok, Isa expressed shock over the incident and distanced herself from her father's behaviour, stating: 'This was not okay.'

The backlash erupted after micro-influencer Karla shared a now-viral TikTok earlier this month, claiming she was demeaned during a planned content collaboration with Kis Cafe. The video triggered intense public scrutiny, leading to Chef Sung's resignation and a formal apology from the restaurant.

'What Happened to Her Was Not Okay'

Isa, who appeared visibly emotional in her TikTok response, began by acknowledging how difficult it was to speak out publicly but said she felt it was necessary.

'In light of everything that's been happening, I just want to say that I still stand by what I said in my comment on Karla's video, and that I support her,' she said. 'What happened to her was not okay.'

Isa revealed that upon seeing the original video, she immediately recognised who Karla was referring to and contacted her father and his business partner, urging them to apologise. 'Nobody deserves to be treated that way,' she said. 'I wanted her to know she had my support.'

She also addressed how deeply hurt she felt knowing her father had used her name during the encounter. 'It was a complete shock to me and was unacceptable,' she said.

Navigating Family Tensions

Isa spoke candidly about the emotional complexities of growing up in an immigrant household, saying she has spent her life trying to help her father manage his emotions and behaviour. 'That doesn't excuse what happened,' she added. 'We may know how to handle things in private, but this should never happen in public—or to anyone.'

She reaffirmed her love for her family while firmly rejecting the incident. 'Though I love my family, this was again not okay.'

Isa also expressed solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. 'I don't condone how he spoke to her, especially not another AAPI creator. Even if she weren't a creator or Asian American, it still would not have been okay.'

'I Am Not the Restaurant'

Throughout the video, Isa made it clear she should not be associated with the restaurant or her father's actions. 'His actions don't represent me,' she said. 'Just like many of you may not always agree with your parents, I definitely do not always agree with mine.'

She noted that while Karla may no longer want to communicate with her, she respected that boundary and hoped her message would provide clarity. 'This was a necessary wake-up call for him and a learning experience that I know he is taking very seriously.'

Kis Cafe has since confirmed that Luke Sung has stepped down from all involvement with the business. In a public statement, the restaurant apologised to Karla and reiterated its commitment to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment.