In this episode, I sit down with May Ku, founder of Reev, a dating app built to bring depth and real conversation back into modern dating.

We talk about her journey growing up in a highly competitive environment in Korea, struggling with identity, and how that shaped the woman and founder she is today. 

What I loved about this conversation is that it’s not just about building a tech product, it’s about understanding human connection.

We dive into the realities of modern dating - rejection, ghosting, technology fatigue, toxic dynamics -  and why so many of us feel disconnected despite being more “connected” than ever.

May shares why she believes dating apps shouldn’t just be about swiping… but about conversation, curiosity, and emotional intelligence. We also unpack the mindset shifts required to build something meaningful, both in love and in business.

This episode is for anyone navigating dating in this generation, building something from scratch, or learning how to separate rejection from identity.

Whether it’s relationships or entrepreneurship, growth requires resilience.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Growing up in a competitive culture and struggling with identity
• The real story behind launching Reev
• Why modern dating feels harder than ever
• Rejection and how to stop taking it personally
• The role technology plays in connection (and disconnection)
• Lessons from love that translate into business
• Why cheating is more complex than we think
• Recognising and stepping away from toxic relationships
• Feminine and masculine energy in today’s dating landscape
• The future of dating apps

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction & Mae’s Background
 03:06 – From Competitive Culture to Founder
 06:10 – Why Modern Dating Feels Broken
 09:00 – Rejection & Emotional Resilience
 11:43 – Technology’s Impact on Relationships
 15:02 – Mindset Shifts in Entrepreneurship
 17:52 – Lessons from Love & Business
 20:39 – Understanding Cheating
 23:57 – Toxic Relationship Patterns
 26:40 – Feminine & Masculine Energy
 29:54 – The Vision Behind Reev
 32:48 – The Future of Dating
 35:37 – Final Advice

CONNECT WITH MAY

• LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayhyunjiku/ 
• INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/maytheku/ 
• TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@may.the.ku 

DOWNLOAD REEV 

• ANDROID - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.reev.app&hl=en 
• APPLE COMING SOON

CONNECT WITH MAHDIEH ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/mahdieh.rassafiani/ 

FOLLOW YOUR NEXT STEP PODCAST SOCIALS

• INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/yournextstep.pod/ 
• TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@yournextstep.pod 
• YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/@YourNextStepPodcast 
• LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-next-step-podcast/