I would use factory oil filters if maintaining the warranty is any concern of yours. I doubt there's an enormous difference between quality filters. And with your short change intervals, you oil is probably not even getting discolored before you change it.
I have a Soul with the 1.6 like yours...
I just had my O&F done at the KIA dealer. I always supply the oil, this time I brought in 5w-30 Castrol Edge API SN Plus. Last O&F was January 10 and I used Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w-20. It's a 2017 KIA Soul 1.6 automatic with under 20,000 on it.
The temp gauge reads a little lower than before...