Song is noted for his roles in Korean dramas like Autumn Fairy Tale (2000) and Summer Scent. Song, during his late teenage years, successfully evaded compulsory army service by claiming to have severe diabetes and high blood pressure. At 28, his claim was discovered by the South Korean government to be false, and he was forced to serve the army for two years. Song, in an apparent show of guilt, publicly apologised and began his service.
Despite pleas from his fans to the South Korean government, the government feared that giving clemency to Song would spark off riots and strikes (due to peoples' displeasure at his act). In the end, Song temporarily dropped acting to serve the army until 2006, although he was diagnosed with high blood pressure. Song was discharged on November 15 as a Corporal.