There are moments on game shows that make history — and then there are moments that make viewers hold their breath in disbelief. One contestant’s high-stakes gamble recently turned into one of the most talked-about near-misses in “Wheel of Fortune” history. While millions watched from home, one man stood inches from a potential million-dollar windfall — and couldn’t find the words.
The events that unfolded on the May 13 episode were anything but ordinary. With a special theme, a cast of coworkers, and real bragging rights on the line, this wasn’t just another spin of the wheel. What began with friendly jabs and inside jokes among friends quickly turned into a gripping showdown — one with a devastating twist in its final act.
A Special Theme and Spirited Rivalry
The episode aired as part of Wheel’s “Bragging Rights” week, where contestants weren’t random strangers but colleagues — making for even more pressure and a lot more playful banter. Representing a pediatric medical office from Texas, the trio of contestants included Sam Oh from Cypress and his coworkers Peter Jung and Daniel Park, both hailing from Houston.
The mood started light. During the introductions, host Ryan Seacrest couldn’t help but joke when he learned Peter Jung had once been Daniel Park’s pediatrician. “Still waiting for him to grow,” Jung quipped, prompting Seacrest to laugh and add, “People say the same about me — better watch it!”
That kind of fun, personal energy carried through the entire night — but underneath the surface, the stakes were rising.
Show host Ryan Seacrest and contestant Sam Oh in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel of Fortune/Youtube
High Stakes, Custom Shirts, and Office Antics
Beyond the usual cash and vacations up for grabs, the coworkers had agreed on a hilarious wager: the losers would have to wear handmade “Wheel of Misfortune” shirts — custom-designed by Jung’s wife. Sam Oh, brimming with confidence early on, boldly declared he wouldn’t be wearing one.
He set out to prove it — and for much of the night, he did just that.
Oh built momentum quickly. He grabbed $2,000 in the second toss-up puzzle, then nailed the Jackpot Round by solving “Giving a Little Pep Talk.” That round earned him an extra $2,000 and a coveted vacation to Costa Rica. Soon after, he answered “Surround Sound System” correctly, pushing his total winnings to $18,600.
Jung wasn’t far behind, however. He snagged the game’s highly sought-after $1 million wedge — a potential game-changer — and later correctly solved “Macadamia Nut Cookies” during the prize puzzle round. His reward? A dream vacation to Maui and another $14,000 in cash.
Daniel Park started slow but managed to squeeze in a correct solve of the final puzzle, “This Girl Is On Fire,” finishing with a modest but respectable $1,700.
As the dust settled from the final spin, it was clear that Sam Oh had emerged as the night’s dominant player, leading with $28,050. Jung finished with $16,450, and Park in third. But for Oh, the real challenge — and the chance of a lifetime — was just beginning.
The Bonus Round Begins
With his colleagues cheering him on — and already donning their hilarious punishment T-shirts — Sam Oh stepped into the spotlight for the Bonus Round. What he didn’t know was that tucked inside the bonus prize envelope was a $1 million card. It was one of the rare instances when the million-dollar wedge he had earned earlier could actually turn into a real reward.
The category was “Phrase,” often one of the more open-ended and difficult themes. As usual, he was given the standard letters: R, S, T, L, N, and E. These filled in a few blanks, revealing a partially completed phrase: O _ T O _ _ _ C.
Now it was time for him to select three more consonants and one vowel — and that’s where things took a turn.
A Freeze Worth $1 Million
It started subtly: a moment’s pause. Sam hesitated after giving his first consonant, “C.” Then — silence. He stood in place, visibly frozen, as precious seconds ticked by. Host Ryan Seacrest gently prompted him to continue. “Take a guess,” he encouraged.
Eventually, Sam added “G,” “M,” and “O,” forming the final selection: C, G, M, O.
But it wasn’t enough. The board filled in slightly more, but the puzzle still appeared cryptic. Sam took a shot in the dark: “Out of…?” he began, clearly trying to piece together the final word. But nothing came. His final answer didn’t complete the phrase.
The correct solution? “Out of Whack.”
As the puzzle board revealed the answer, an audible groan swept through the studio audience.
And inside the envelope? A $40,000 prize — gone in an instant. Even more crushing was the reveal moments later: the elusive $1 million prize was indeed on the board. It had been placed under the “M” in “America” — one spin away from being a once-in-a-lifetime payout.
Reactions From Fans: Sympathy and Frustration
The internet, never short on opinions, exploded with reactions.
Fans on Reddit were quick to critique Oh’s letter-picking strategy. “Sam took WAY too long to pick his letters,” one user wrote. “I get that he was trying to be strategic, but it gave him an unfair advantage — and it backfired.”
Others were more sympathetic, pointing out how the immense pressure of standing on that stage with $1 million on the line could paralyze even the most prepared contestant. “I’m not surprised he missed it,” another commenter noted. “The pressure from that million-dollar hype was intense.”
On YouTube, viewers bemoaned the streak of misfortune that the show has been under. “Twelve straight Bonus Round losses? That’s some serious misfortune,” one user wrote. And it’s true — this wasn’t just a tough loss for Sam Oh. It marked the show’s twelfth consecutive Bonus Round miss, a surprising statistic for a program known for rewarding lucky and skilled players alike.
👉 Don’t miss the video:
Backstage Banter: Humor After the Heartbreak
Despite the disappointing loss, the mood behind the scenes was light-hearted.
Post-show, Maggie Sajak caught up with Sam and his teammates. All three wore their homemade “Wheel of Misfortune” shirts. One shirt, tongue-in-cheek, featured a faux “Lose a Job” wedge.
Peter Jung — the boss of the group — joked that he was safe, but with Oh taking home the biggest cash prize of the evening, the real office bragging rights still belonged to him. “Looks like I may need to renegotiate Sam’s contract,” Jung teased.
For Sam, the missed million didn’t erase the fun, nor the victory he had already secured. He left with over $28,000 and a tropical vacation — hardly a total loss. Still, the question of “what if?” loomed large.
Why This Miss Matters
What made this episode stand out wasn’t just the monetary loss. It was the human element: a man doing his best under immense pressure, representing not just himself but his coworkers and friends. His nerves, his hesitation, and ultimately his inability to guess a deceptively simple phrase felt raw and relatable.
Game shows like “Wheel of Fortune” often showcase incredible wins, but just as often, they spotlight our humanity — flaws and all.
Sam Oh didn’t just miss out on money. He gave viewers a moment to rally behind, to dissect, and to remember. And in a show filled with spinning wheels and fleeting fortunes, that’s a kind of win in itself.
