Brit flick 'Kingsman' rules local box office again

British gentlemen took over the box office again this weekend in Korea with "Kingsman: The Secret Service" maintaining its position in first place for two consecutive weeks.

Not only did the country become the second-largest market for the movie after the United States, the film is now the most-watched R-rated film from overseas in Korea's cinematic history. The spot was previously taken by Zack Snyder's "300" (2007) with 2.9 million admissions.

Since the spy thriller directed by Matthew Vaughn opened here on Feb. 11, it has earned 34 billion won ($30.6 million), as of Monday.

"The Imitation Game", which chronicles the life of genius British mathematician Alan Turing, was in third place, attracting an audience of 195,000 over the weekend. Its three-week total is now 1.5 million admissions, or 12 billion won.

On the other hand, the much-anticipated period flick"Empire of Lust", directed byAhn Sang-hoon, opened with a disappointing 252,000 ticket sales in second place.

Set in the turbulent times of the early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the film depicts a fatal love story between GeneralKim Min-jae(Sin Ha-gyoon) and courtesan Ga-hee (Kang Han-na).

Jang Hyuk plays Yi Bang-won who plots a rebellion when his father, King Taejo, refused to abdicate.

"Granny's Got Talent", a comedy starringKim Soo-miabout a crooked granny who decides to enter a swearing competition, debuted in fourth place with 192,000 tickets sold.

Academy Award winning "Birdman", directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, opened in fifth place with 96,696 admissions.

The film caused fierce controversy in Korea because a character played by Emma Stone, one of the lead actors, criticizes the smell of kimchi.

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]