Ep 5: Modern Dating Is Broken — Here’s What We’re Missing || May Ku

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 TAKEAWAYSGrowing up in a competitive culture and struggling with identityThe real story behind launching ReevWhy modern dating feels harder than everRejection and how to stop taking it personallyThe role technology plays in connection (and disconnection)Lessons from love that translate into businessWhy cheating is more complex than we thinkRecognising and stepping away from toxic relationshipsFeminine and masculine energy in today’s dating landscapeThe future of dating appsCHAPTERS00:00 – 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 AdviceCONNECT WITH MAYLINKEDIN - 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 SOONCONNECT WITH MAHDIEH ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/mahdieh.rassafiani/ FOLLOW YOUR NEXT STEP PODCAST SOCIALSINSTAGRAM - 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/