Man-Bok Kim served as Conductor in Residence from 1961 to 1969. During his time as conductor he dramatically expanded the repertory of the orchestra from the classical period to also include works by modern composers. As a conductor, he gave the Korean premieres of Mahler's symphony and Straninsky's Petrouchka in the 1960's.

Man-Bok Kim graduated from the University of California after studying the composition at SNU. After graduating, he served as an associate conductor for Oakland Symphony Orchestra. When he returned to Korea he became an associate conductor for the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. He conducted at the Berkshire Festival in the United States, the Yiena International Music Festival in Italy and was awarded the German National medal of culture from German Federal government. He also received the national medal, "Dongbaekjang" in Korea. He served as a professor at Sudo Woman's Educational College and Sookmyung Woman's University.