Maelstrom is a story is about what came after the death of an Korean immigrant mother, Kay. Anna, Kay’s adolescent daughter, wants to be connected to her mom after her death. It is not an easy task for Anna since there are so many unanswered questions, why she came to America, why she abandoned her life, and why she couldn't change how her life was. Anna has to gather information as if she put together puzzle pieces. Through photographs of her mother, Anna learns that there are a lot that she doesn't know about her mom. She learns that she must find out the answers herself by living her own life. Anna decides to keep the memories of her mother close to her heart.